The International Olympic Committee has decided to provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, effective October 12, 2023.
«The decision – we read in a press release connected to the opening of the qualification paths for Los Angeles 2028 – was taken following an in-depth analysis by the IOC Legal Affairs Commission, considering that the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes among its members any regional sports organization in the territories that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. Furthermore – continues the International Olympic Committee -, the Russian Olympic Committee has confirmed that it does not carry out, nor will it carry out in the future, any activities in these territories”. The IOC Executive: «will continue to carefully monitor the situation relating to any activities of the Russian Olympic Committee in these areas and reserves the right to take further measures if it deems it necessary».
This means that as regards the qualifications for Los Angeles 2028 and for the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games, «the conditions of participation recommended to International Federations and international organizers of sporting events on the dates of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 will no longer be applicable, with regard to Russian athletes and teams, including the envisaged protection measures».
The decision follows what was already announced by the IOC itself in May 2026 when the restrictions relating to the participation of Belarusian athletes were lifted. Obviously, Russian athletes who return to compete at an international level will have to comply with strict anti-doping requirements, with particular requirements regarding controls, in verification of what has been the case over the years of suspension by the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA, while no decision has yet been taken on the possibility of “displaying the Russian flag, anthem, colors or other Russian symbols”, and the IOC leaves the final word to the international federations and organizers.
The IOC at the same time reiterated its support for Ukraine, but the topic will cause discussion, and its position regarding athletes from countries at war: «The IOC recognizes that an athlete’s participation in international competitions should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict», a concept that was already at the basis of the openings last December and May for Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Dakar 2026 Youth Games.
