Olympic Committee Lifts Suspension of Russian Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on Tuesday. The move restores eligibility for Russian athletes in many international competitions, including qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The suspension had been in place since October 2023. It followed the Russian Olympic Committee's recognition of regional Olympic councils in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

Background The suspension was imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The IOC cited the recognition of councils in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as the reason for the action.

The IOC executive board lifted the suspension but has not decided whether Russia may display its flag and colors or have its anthem played at the Games. Russian athletes may now enter events that had been closed to them under the prior suspension.