The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), paving the way for Russian athletes to participate more fully in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The decision was announced on Tuesday by the IOC Executive Board amid the start of qualification events for the Games, which begin on July 14, 2028.
The IOC cited the removal of regional sports organizations linked to Ukrainian territories from the ROC as a key factor in its decision, noting the ROC’s confirmation that it no longer engages in activities in those regions. The committee emphasized, however, that the lifting of the ban does not indicate a change in its strong condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The IOC also stated it will continue to monitor Russian athletes closely, including reviewing public statements and social media for any support of the war or ties to Russian military and security services. Russian government officials remain barred from IOC events.
The move marks a shift from previous restrictions. Since 2023, Russian athletes had been allowed to participate only under a neutral status, with limited numbers competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. The current IOC decision advises international sports federations to end special vetting processes for Russian athletes, although each federation retains the authority to determine their own participation policies. For instance, World Athletics recently maintained a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, while FIFA and UEFA continue to exclude Russia from major soccer tournaments.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry defended the decision, stating that athletes should not be held accountable for their governments’ actions, and described the ruling as fair. Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov welcomed the IOC’s move as a “green light” for the return of Russian athletes to international competition, suggesting the potential for a team in Los Angeles approaching the size of the one that competed in Tokyo in 2021, which included over 300 athletes and won 71 medals.
The IOC has not yet decided when or if Russian athletes may compete under their national flag and anthem again, indicating that such a decision will be made at an appropriate time. The IOC pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and expressed solidarity with the country’s Olympic community.
The announcement received criticism from some quarters. Natasha Radenkal, Vice President of Post Angeles, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine, called the decision tone-deaf and inappropriate, arguing that allowing Russian athletes to compete under their national banner while civilians are being killed in Ukraine undermines the Olympic ideals of peace.
As the IOC moves to reintegrate Russia into the Olympic fold, the response from the wider sports world remains mixed, with some international federations maintaining restrictions while others adjust to the new guidance. The situation remains dynamic in the months leading up to the Los Angeles Games.