IOC Provisionally Lifts Suspension of Russian Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on Tuesday. The IOC executive board reached the decision after finding that the Russian body no longer includes regional sports organizations in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation.

The suspension had been in place since October 2022, when it was imposed following the Russian Olympic Committee's recognition of regional councils in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.

The IOC said the Russian committee confirmed it does not and will not conduct activities in those territories. It has not decided whether Russia will be permitted to display its flag or colors or have its anthem played at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The committee also stated it will not host events in Russia or invite Russian officials to its events for the time being.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the decision allows athletes to compete without being held accountable for government actions. “We don’t condone any wars, including this one. We will continue to support Ukraine like we have since this started.

But I don’t believe athletes should pay the price,” she said. Russian Sport Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said the decision opens the way for full reinstatement of Russian athletes by international federations. Russian athletes competed as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

The IOC said its executive board will continue to monitor any Russian Olympic Committee activities in the occupied territories and reserves the right to reimpose measures if necessary. Coventry added that adequate testing must be ensured for Russian athletes ahead of the 2028 Games.