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Russia reintegrating into Olympics as International Olympic Committee lifts suspension

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).
  • This decision paves the way for Russian athletes to participate in international competitions, including qualifiers for the LA 2028 Games.
  • While the suspension is lifted, the IOC has not yet decided on the display of Russia's flag or anthem at the Games, drawing criticism from Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a significant step towards Russia's reintegration into the Olympic movement by provisionally lifting the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). This move could allow Russian athletes to compete in various international events, including qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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.

— Kirsty CoventryIOC President Kirsty Coventry explaining the rationale behind lifting the suspension while acknowledging ongoing support for Ukraine.

The ROC had been suspended in October 2023 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, specifically for recognizing regional Olympic councils in occupied Ukrainian territories: Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. The IOC's executive board announced the lifting of this suspension on Tuesday.

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

— Kirsty CoventryIOC President Kirsty Coventry on the principle of not penalizing athletes for governmental actions.

However, the IOC has yet to determine whether Russian athletes will be permitted to display their national flag and play their anthem at the upcoming Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the committee's stance against war and its continued support for Ukraine, but stated, "athletes should not pay the price" and should not be held accountable for their government's actions. This decision follows previous IOC recommendations in December to allow Russian and Belarusian youth athletes to compete under neutral status.

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

— Mikhail DegtyarevRussian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev on the implications of the IOC's decision.

Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the IOC's decision, viewing it as a signal for international federations to fully reinstate Russian athletes. Russian athletes previously competed as neutrals in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. The decision has faced criticism, with Ukraine's foreign ministry calling it "troubling" and urging host countries to maintain bans on Russian state symbols. Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych described the IOC's move as "absolutely shameful."

absolutely shameful

— Vladyslav HeraskevychUkrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych's reaction to the IOC's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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