The International Olympic Committee has lifted the suspension on Russia that was imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
This decision paves the way for the Russian team to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Previously, only a handful of Russians were able to compete at the Paris Summer Olympics and the Milan Cortina Winter Games in 2026.
They participated as authorized neutral athletes after an IOC vetting panel checked whether they had offered any public support for the war in Ukraine.
That specific vetting requirement has now ended. A Russian team of hundreds of athletes is likely to be present in Los Angeles.
Flag and Anthem Decision Pending
The IOC stated it would decide at a later date whether the Russians would be able to compete under their own flag and anthem.
The committee also noted it would not be hosting events in Russia for the time being, nor would it invite Russian officials to its events.
“The decision on whether to host events and sports competitions in Russia, to invite Russian government or state officials to competitions, or to allow the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any other identifications, is at the discretion of each international federation and international sports event organiser,” the IOC said in a statement.
“In this respect, the IOC will not organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events,” it said.
“The IOC will take a decision in relation to the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any identifications for the Olympic Games at the appropriate time.”
Furthermore, the committee confirmed that because of concerns around the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, Russian athletes would have to be tested multiple times by the International Testing Agency before being allowed to compete in global competition again.
The sticking point to the suspension being lifted was not the war itself.
Instead, it was the fact that the Russian Olympic Committee had claimed territories in Ukraine as being under its jurisdiction.
However, the IOC stated its legal affairs commission was now satisfied that the ROC no longer included as its members any regional sports organizations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of Ukraine.
As a result, the committee announced that the ban, which was originally imposed on 12 October 2023, had been lifted.
The IOC’s executive board explained that it would continue to closely monitor the situation relating to any ROC activities in those territories.
The board also reserved the right to take any further measures if deemed necessary.
Additionally, the IOC issued a warning regarding the criteria for athlete participation in future games.
“Selection shall be based not only on their sports performance, but also on their ability to serve as role models who respect, uphold and promote a peaceful society through sport as set forth in the Olympic Charter.”
