The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, clearing the way for Russian athletes to return to international competition ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The IOC said the decision followed a legal review that concluded the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes sports organizations from territories under the jurisdiction of Ukraine‘s National Olympic Committee. The organization added that it will continue monitoring the situation and could take further action if necessary.
The move also ends the IOC’s recommendation that international sports federations vet Russian athletes before allowing them to compete. However, Russian athletes returning to competition must still comply with international anti-doping requirements because the country’s anti-doping agency remains suspended.
No decision has yet been made on whether Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under the national flag, use the national anthem, or wear national colors at the Los Angeles Games. The IOC also said it will continue to bar Russian government officials from its events and will not organize Olympic events in Russia.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the decision reflects the Olympic movement’s position that athletes should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments, while reaffirming the committee’s support for Ukraine’s Olympic community.
The decision drew criticism from Ukraine. The country’s Foreign Ministry described the move as “troubling” and urged international sports organizations to maintain restrictions on Russian participation and the display of Russian state symbols while Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine continues.
