Russian karatekas circumvented the entry ban to Poland. The background of the scandal at the World Championships in Bielsko-Biała

Fifteen young karate athletes from Russia and Belarus attempted to participate in the World Karate Championships despite a ban. They aimed to compete under the World Karate Federation flag but were stopped by Polish border guards due to false visas. The Polish Karate Union confirmed that no Russian athletes were registered. The situation highlighted inconsistencies in EU visa regulations, allowing some Russians to enter despite Poland's restrictions. A Russian referee also appeared on a reserve list for the event, raising suspicions. The border guards acted promptly, leading to deportation orders for the athletes.