The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, opening the door for Russian athletes to compete under their national flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Background of the Ban
Since 2018, Russian competitors have been required to participate under a neutral flag or represent the Russian Olympic Committee, following a series of doping scandals involving Russian athletes, as well as the invasion of Ukraine in February 2024.
On Tuesday, the IOC released a statement confirming it had lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, opening the door to a full removal of the ban — though this is yet to be formally confirmed.
IOC Statement
An IOC statement said: "The International Olympic Committee executive board has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee that had been in effect since October 12, 2023. The decision was taken following a thorough analysis by the IOC's legal affairs commission, considering that the ROC no longer includes as its members any regional sports organisations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine."
The statement added: "In addition, the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories. The IOC executive board will continue to closely monitor the situation relating to any ROC activities in those territories, and reserves the right to take any further measures if deemed necessary."
Russia's Response
In an official statement, Russia welcomed the IOC's ruling, declaring that the Olympics must remain "free from politics" while also confirming its intention to take part in the 2028 Games. Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev said on Telegram: "The IOC is sending a clear signal: the Olympic movement must remain free from politics."
IOC's Stance on Ukraine Conflict
The IOC stressed that it remains firmly opposed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and "strongly condemns" their actions. Nevertheless, the governing body added that it "recognises that an athlete's participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict."
Recent Olympic Participation
The announcement comes several months after a number of Russian and Belarusian athletes were permitted to compete as neutrals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, though participation in team events was prohibited. A month on, Russian para athletes were granted the same concession, having sought to compete under their national flag at the Winter Paralympics.
They had successfully appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a ban imposed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. A number of countries, including Ukraine, boycotted the Paralympics opening ceremony in protest at Russia's full participation.
A total of 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics following their approval as neutral competitors, collectively claiming five medals. This represented a dramatic decline compared to the Russian team's performance at Tokyo in 2021, where more than 300 athletes went on to secure 71 medals.
