The key facts
- The Russian Ministry of Sport has officially recognized laser tag as a sport
- The Laser Combat Federation of Russia has passed state accreditation
- The federation's tournaments have received official status
Laser tag becomes an official sport
The Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation has officially recognized laser tag as a new sport, the ministry's press service reported. On October 21 it became known that the Laser Combat Federation of Russia has successfully passed state accreditation. After that, tournaments held under the auspices of the federation received official status, which makes it possible to hold the Russian Championship and Cup in laser tag, as well as to award athletes sports ranks and titles.
What is laser tag
Laser tag is a team military-tactical game using safe laser weapons and sensors that register hits.
Context: the status of Russian athletes
On July 7, the International Olympic Committee temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and recommended that international federations remove restrictions from Russian athletes, noting that the previously issued recommendations were no longer relevant. In March 2022, the IOC recommended suspending Russian and Belarusian athletes, and in December 2023 — admitting Russians to the 2024 Olympics in Paris in a neutral status. In the end, 15 Russian athletes went to the Games in France, who were forbidden to use Russian symbols, including the flag and anthem. Similar rules also applied at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Earlier, the Minister of Sport of Russia spoke about the IOC's assistance in pressure on the EU.
