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All Russians allowed to compete in 2028 Olympics: "Deplorable"

From Svenska Dagbladet · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Russian athletes will be permitted to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics without political restrictions, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
  • This decision reverses the ban imposed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, under which Russian athletes could only compete as neutrals.
  • Sweden's Minister for Sport, Jakob Forssmed, strongly criticized the decision, calling it "deplorable" and arguing it normalizes Russia's actions.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Russian athletes will be allowed to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, regardless of their political stance. This marks a significant shift from the current policy, which has barred Russia from international competition since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Previously, Russian athletes were only permitted to compete under a neutral flag and had to prove their political impartiality. The IOC's new decision effectively lifts these restrictions, welcoming Russian athletes back into the Olympic fold. The committee has yet to decide on the specifics regarding the use of Russia's flag, anthem, and colors during the Games. Athletes who are allowed to compete will still be required to adhere to all anti-doping regulations.

A deplorable decision that normalizes Russia's war of aggression. Russian sports are generally closely linked to the Russian state apparatus. The timing could hardly be worse, as the decision occurs against the immediate backdrop of Russian attacks on civilian targets. Ukrainian athletes and coaches are among the victims of such Russian attacks.

— Jakob ForssmedSweden's Minister for Sport, commenting on the IOC's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete in the 2028 Olympics.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from some international bodies. Sweden's Minister for Sport, Jakob Forssmed, described the move as "deplorable" and stated that it normalizes Russia's "war of aggression." He highlighted the close ties between Russian sports and the state apparatus and noted the particularly poor timing of the decision, given recent Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine. Conversely, Russia's Minister of Sport, Mikhail Degtyarev, welcomed the IOC's decision, asserting that the Olympic movement must remain free from politics.

Belarusian athletes, who were also banned following the invasion, were welcomed back into the Olympics earlier in May. The IOC's decision regarding Russian athletes is effective from the 2028 Games.

The IOC sends a clear signal, the Olympic movement must be kept free from politics.

— Mikhail DegtyarevRussia's Minister of Sport, reacting to the IOC's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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