IOC lifts suspension of Russian Olympic Committee, clears path for LA 2028
The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday temporarily lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and withdrew all neutrality requirements for Russian and Belarusian athletes, opening the door to full participation in qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The decision
On 7 July 2026 the IOC Executive Board temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) that had been in place since 12 October 2023. The move follows a legal review which found that the ROC no longer includes regional sports organisations from the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The ROC also confirmed it does not and will not conduct any activity in those areas. The IOC said it will continue to monitor the situation.
At the same time, the IOC withdrew its earlier recommendations to international federations, issued on 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023, that had required Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete only as neutrals and to pass political vetting. The same easing for Belarus was already adopted in May 2026.
What changes for athletes
Russian and Belarusian athletes can now enter qualification events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympics without proving neutrality or undergoing political screening. The decision on whether to allow national flags and anthems at the Games themselves has been postponed, with the IOC stating it will be taken "in due course". Individual international federations retain the right to set their own rules. World Athletics, for example, has already said it will not readmit Russians.
In my opinion, this is not equivalent to a total return of Russian athletes. An example is World Athletics, which a few days ago announced there is no question of reinstating Russians. I can assure you that nothing changes in athletics, and no Russian will appear at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial or the European Championships. Powerful, well-functioning federations will defend themselves against Russian influence, but the bigger problem may be with less popular disciplines, which may be more willing to admit Russians and even allow them to organize international tournaments.
Timeline of restrictions
- IOC recommends ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes after invasion of Ukraine.
- IOC issues neutrality conditions for individual athletes.
- Russian Olympic Committee suspended for incorporating sports bodies from occupied Ukrainian regions.
- IOC relaxes rules for junior athletes, allowing national symbols.
- Similar restrictions lifted for Belarus.
- IOC lifts ROC suspension and withdraws all neutrality requirements.
Reactions
Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision, calling it a green light for international federations to bring back all Russian athletes. In Poland, the decision raises immediate questions about the 2027 Men's Volleyball World Championship, which the country is set to host. Polish law still prohibits entry for Russian nationals, and officials have indicated that this ban will not be lifted for the event.
The return of our country to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to reinstate all our athletes.
Doping and monitoring
To address trust concerns, the IOC said all returning Russian athletes must meet anti-doping requirements under the World Anti-Doping Code and will be subject to repeated testing by WADA-accredited bodies before competing. International federations will set the testing timelines. The IOC reiterated its condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and said its position on the war has not changed.
What's next
The immediate effect is on qualification pathways for LA 2028. The IOC has not set an expiry date for the temporary lifting of the ROC suspension, but said it will monitor the ROC's actions closely. The flag and anthem question remains open, and several major federations may still block Russian participation regardless of the IOC's stance.
