​The International Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday, during the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, that it has provisionally lifted the nearly three-year ban on the Russian Olympic Committee. The suspension had been imposed on October 12, 2023, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and had prevented Russian athletes from competing under the ROC flag. In its statement, the IOC explained that the decision followed a thorough review by the governing body’s legal affairs commission, which concluded that the ROC no longer includes as members any regional sports organizations located in territories under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. The IOC added that the ROC has also confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in those territories. The executive board of the IOC will monitor ROC activities in those areas and reserves the right to revisit the decision if necessary. The IOC also reiterated its continued condemnation of Russia’s invasion and, more broadly, of wars, armed conflicts, and violence that cause human suffering wherever they occur.
The war between Russia and Ukraine remains ongoing. A recent missile strike on Kyiv by Russia caused casualties, including deaths, according to coverage by The New York Times. With the door reopening for Russian athletes to compete as members of the ROC at the Los Angeles Games and at future Olympics, the IOC said it will determine, at an appropriate time, how to handle the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colors, or any other identifying marks during the Games.
The IOC further noted that, given the questionable status of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), any Russian athletes returning to international competition must meet relevant anti-doping requirements, including multiple tests. If RUSADA remains non-compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency standards before LA28, Russian athletes will be required to undergo independent testing. In addition, the IOC stated that it will not organize events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.
“The IOC stands in solidarity with the Olympic community of Ukraine, which the Olympic Movement has supported since the beginning of the war, and will continue to do so,” the IOC said. It noted that it established a Solidarity Fund for Ukraine to provide athletes with support as they face ongoing challenges. The announcement from the IOC on Tuesday comes two months after it advised that athletes from Belarus, a military ally of Russia in its war with Ukraine, should not be vetted for neutral competition status. The IOC underscored its commitment to ensuring all athletes have the opportunity to compete, while balancing considerations related to safety, integrity, and the broader goals of the Olympic Movement.