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.
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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.
