The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and recommended that all restrictions on Russian athletes be removed. The decision was taken by the IOC Executive Board on July 7.
“With the qualification period for both the LA28 Olympic Games and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games having started, and the need to offer equal access to these competitions to all athletes, the IOC EB decided that its recommended conditions of participation for International Federations (IFs) and international sports event organisers of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 as they relate to Russian athletes and teams, including the protective measures, are no longer applicable,” the IOC said in a press release.
Russian athletes will be required to undergo anti-doping testing in order to participate in international competitions.
The IOC has left it to international sports federations to decide whether to hold sporting events in Russia, invite Russian officials to competitions, and use the Russian flag and anthem.
At the same time, the IOC will not organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its own events. A decision on the use of the Russian flag and symbols at the Olympic Games will be taken by the IOC “at the appropriate time.”
The IOC stressed that it continues to strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as wars in general, and “remains committed to promoting peace through sport among people and nations.”
“The IOC recognises that an athlete’s participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict,” the press release states.
In May 2026, the IOC recommended lifting all restrictions on Belarusian athletes.
