Russia could compete at 2028 Olympics after suspension provisionally lifted

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), marking a significant step toward Russia's potential reintegration into the Olympic movement before the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The ROC had been suspended in October 2023 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, due to its recognition of regional Olympic councils in occupied Ukrainian territories.

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We don't condone any wars, including this one. We will continue to support Ukraine like we have since this started. But I don't believe athletes should pay the price.

The IOC's executive board announced the lifting of the suspension, which will permit Russian athletes to participate in numerous international competitions, including qualifiers for the LA28 Olympics. However, the committee has yet to decide on whether Russia will be allowed to display its national flag and colors or have its anthem played during the Games.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that the committee does not condone wars but believes athletes should not be penalized for their government's actions. "We don't want to hold athletes accountable for the actions of their government," Coventry told a press conference. This decision follows the IOC's earlier recommendation in December for federations to readmit Russian and Belarusian youth athletes under 23.

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We don't want to hold athletes accountable for the actions of their government.

Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision, suggesting it paves the way for a full return of Russian athletes to the international sports arena. "Our country's return to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to reinstate all our athletes," Degtyarev said. Russian athletes competed as neutrals in the 2024 Paris Olympics and are expected to do so in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

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This decision speaks to it. It allows Russian athletes to take part in sports competitions. We thought it was really important for athletes to have that possibility.

However, the decision has drawn criticism. Ukraine's foreign ministry called it "troubling" and urged host countries to maintain bans on Russian state symbols. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych described the IOC's decision as "absolutely shameful." Athlete advocacy groups Global Athlete and FairSport also criticized the IOC, stating the decision shows a lack of accountability amid the ongoing conflict and represents a "fundamental departure from the principles of Olympism."

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Our country's return to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to reinstate all our athletes.