IOC board set to allow Russian, Belarusian athletes to compete under national flags

The International Olympic Committee's executive board is poised to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national symbols, a decision expected Wednesday in Lausanne. Sources indicate the IOC will reverse its previous stance, allowing full participation rather than the limited "neutral" status seen at the Milan-Cortina Games.

This move aligns the IOC with the International Paralympic Committee, which decided in September 2025 to allow Russian athletes back into competition. While the IPC's decision was unanimous among its member nations, the IOC's choice rests with its smaller executive board, perceived by some as leaning more towards Western interests than Russia's.

The shift is partly attributed to the IOC's leadership change. Thomas Bach, the former IOC president, maintained a cordial relationship with Vladimir Putin but struggled to persuade Western sports leaders to overlook Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, with Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry taking over in spring 2025, the dynamic has changed. Coventry, a former elite swimmer, views global politics differently from the traditional Western European power brokers within the IOC.

Coventry has previously stated that Olympic values should supersede wars, advocating for all athletes' participation. She argued in a video message to EU sports officials that the conflict in Ukraine is one of many and should not be singled out. However, underlying this stance are likely significant financial motivations. The IOC has lost Western sponsors and is seeking new partnerships, with Russian capital being a crucial element, especially given the substantial funds that flowed to the IOC and international sports federations before the war.

The upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics also play a role. With qualification events beginning this summer, the IOC aims to make a favorable decision for Russia well in advance. The US administration under Donald Trump has also expressed a desire for Russian athletes' return to the Olympic stage.