On Friday, July 21 United World Wrestling announced the relocation of the 2023 U20 World Championships. The event was originally scheduled to take place in Warsaw, Poland but will now be moved to Amman, Jordan. Despite the location change, the tournament will still occur on the originally scheduled dates - August 14-20.

The impetus for the decision to change the location was due to Poland's inability to grant visas to athletes from Russia and Belarus. Within UWW's release, they stated, "Adhering to UWW's regulations, which require the organizer to ensure equal participation for all athletes, free from any discrimination based on passport or other criteria...UWW was compelled to find an alternative host after Poland failed to ensure the same...The Wrestling Federation of Jordan has confirmed that it will grant visas to all countries, ensuring a smooth participation process for athletes." 

Wrestlers from Russia and Belarus have been banned from international competition since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. However, this past April the International Olympic Committee made the recommendation to allow the inclusion of athletes from those countries as long as they competed as neutral athletes. This decision to relocate the U20 World Championships for Belarus and Russia's inclusion ensures they will compete in Jordan and also likely means their senior-level athletes will compete at the Senior World Championships this September in Belgrade, Serbia. 

Check out the full release from United World Wrestling by clicking here or reading below:

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (July 21) -- United World Wrestling has decided to reallocate the 2023 U20 World Championships to Amman, Jordan. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Warsaw, Poland from August 14 to 20.

Adhering to UWW's regulations, which require the organizer to ensure equal participation for all athletes, free from any discrimination based on passport or other criteria, and considering the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, UWW was compelled to find an alternative host after Poland failed to ensure the same.

UWW held an Executive Committee meeting on Friday and Amman, Jordan was approved as the new host. The Wrestling Federation of Jordan has confirmed that it will grant visas to all countries, ensuring a smooth participation process for athletes.

While the U20 World Championships will change locations, the Executive Committee approved the Polish Wrestling Federation's request to keep the World Grappling Championships in Warsaw as initially planned.

On Thursday, a new bid to host the U20 World Championships was floated by UWW, seeking a new host and it received numerous candidacies to replace Warsaw, Poland. After carefully evaluating the received candidacies, the Executive Committee approved Amman as the new host.

UWW acknowledges the inconvenience these changes may cause the National Federations. However, by retaining the exact dates of August 14-20 for the Championships, UWW hopes that the original flight tickets can be updated without any losses. UWW is prepared to extend support on a case-by-case basis for those National Federations that have already purchased tickets and added them to Athena.

All registrations already made in Athena will remain valid for the U20 World Championships in Jordan. NFs can make all necessary adjustments to their respective squads before Friday, July 28, 2023.

UWW wants to emphasize that all the decisions made were centered around the well-being of the athletes and their opportunity to participate in wrestling events worldwide. It also appreciates the understanding and cooperation during this transition.

NFs are requested to contact UWW for further questions or assistance.