The organization led by Bubka allowed Russians to compete with national symbols.

The International Masters Games Association (IMGA) allowed Russian athletes to compete in national attire at the World Masters Games. Over 25,000 participants from 107 countries gathered here, including athletes from Russia. They demonstrated their national identity through appropriate gear and flags.

On IMGA's Instagram page, a video was reposted showing athletes from Ukraine, Russia, Tajikistan, and Lithuania together demonstrating friendship under the caption 'Sport unites us.' Ksenia Koryzhova, a Russian speed skater recognized as a neutral athlete by the International Skating Union (ISU), liked posts supporting the war, including those depicting Russian soldiers and the organization 'Yunarmiya.'

Ukrainian and Russian athletes have shown that sport can be a tool for building international peace and mutual understanding, despite current political conflicts.