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Russia moves closer to full Olympic return ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Games The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on Tuesday, paving the way for Russian athletes and teams to move closer to competing under their flag and anthem at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, despite strong objections from Ukraine.

IOC paves way for Russia's return to Olympics Russian athletes will be able to take part in qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It comes two months the IOC had lifted restrictions for Russia's ally Belarus.

The IOC clears the way for Russian athletes to return to Olympic competition The International Olympic Committee decision effectively overturns a decade-long ban on Russian athletes from international sport imposed due to a state-sponsored doping scandal and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

IOC temporarily lifts ban on Russian Olympic Committee Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on Tuesday, setting the stage for the country's full return to international sports ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The decision, announced by the IOC Executive Board following a thorough compliance review, effectively ends the broad institutional isolation imposed on the Russian sports governing body since late 2023. IOC officials stated that the Executive Board acted upon a detailed analysis compiled by the IOC’s Legal Affairs Commission. The legal review concluded that the core regulatory violations that triggered the initial October 12, 2023, suspension have been rectified by Moscow. "The decision was taken following a thorough analysis... considering that the ROC no longer includes as its members any regional sports organisations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine," the IOC stated. The underlying dispute dates back to the aftermath of Russia's February 2022 invasion…

IOC Drops Participation Restrictions on Russian Athletes The International Olympic Committee has removed its recommended restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes in international sports competitions, effectively allowing individual international sports federations to set their own entry conditions. Announced via an official statement on the organization's website on July 7, this policy shift transfers complete regulatory authority back to individual sporting bodies, ending the unified protective restrictions that previously mandated neutral status vetting for competitors from Russia. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW As a result, individual federations can now allow athletes to return using their national symbols and flag, and can consider hosting international tournaments within Russian territory. While the policy grants immediate autonomy to individual sports governing bodies regarding standard events, the International Olympic Committee has deferred its specific ruling on whether Russian flags, anthems, or national symbols will be permitted at upcoming Olympic Games. Concurrently, the executive board has prov…

Russia heads to CAS to overturn its World Athletics ban | AP News A man walks from the Russian National Olympic Committee building in Moscow, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov) LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia’s track and field federation says it has gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a World Athletics ruling suspending its athletes from international events due to the war inUkraine. World Athletics excluded all athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus from its international events in March 2022, days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine. It kept that suspension in place at a council meeting last week. Since then, the International Olympic Committee haseased its restrictionson Russia ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — something theKremlinhailed as an “important step” — and recommended other sports bodies do the same. “Russian Athletics notes that World Athletics’ decision affects the fundamental interests of athletics in Russia and restricts Russian athletes’ right to compete, on grounds that Russian Athletics considers discriminatory,” the Russian track federation said in a statement. “Russian Athletics continues to pursue all …

The IOC just recommended bringing Russian athletes back to the ... - Meduza The International Olympic Committee (IOC)recommendedlifting all restrictions on Russian athletes who had been barred from international competition following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and provisionally reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee. Since 2022, Russian athletes had either been barred from major competitions entirely or allowed to compete only as individuals in neutral status. The IOC recommendation does not automatically grant access to competitions — decisions will be made by the international federations governing each sport — but it significantly weakens the isolation of Russian sport. Meduza looked at how the decision is being received in Russia, Ukraine, and the West. Russia’s sports minister “There is still a great deal of work ahead to implement the IOC’s decisions within international organizations, but the IOC is sending a clear signal: the Olympic movement must remain outside of politics.” Former president of the Russian Olympic Committee “Given that the IOC recently adopted amendments to the Olympic Charter stating that no political considerations may affect the adm…

IOC lifts suspension of Russian Olympic Committee, paving way for 2028 participation <p>The International Olympic Committee, the governing body of the Olympics, is provisionally lifting its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. Here's what it means.</p>

Olympics: IOC provisionally lifts ban on Russian athletes who could be ... NewsNews Last Updated: 07/07/26 6:42pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Russian athletes could be allowed to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced it will provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). The move is a significant step in the reintegration of Russian athletes and will end an effective ban that has been in place since March 2023, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During that suspension, the Russia flag and anthem have been absent from Olympic events, and only a small number of heavily vetted Russian athletes have been allowed to compete as neutrals. In September 2025, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes as members, and at the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games the following year,a number of Russian athletes were able to compete under their nation's flag. In April, World Aquatics also lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing at it's aquatic events under their flags. Despite the provision…

IOC lifts suspension, paves way for Russians to compete at LA 2028 Olympics No decision yet on whether Russia may display its flag, colours or have its anthem played at ​the Games.

IOC lifts ban on Russian Olympic Committee, clearing path for athletes ... The flag of the Russian Olympic Committee at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Games, the last time the ROC competed as a team at the Olympics.Matthias Hangst / Getty Images The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, in place since 2023 in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, clearing the way for the nation’s athletes to compete as members of the ROC at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and beyond. The IOC said in a statement Tuesday that the ROC will be allowed to compete again because its membership no longer includes regional sports organizations in territories under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. The IOC said that “the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories,” and that it will continue to monitor the situation. Advertisement Russia, however, has continued its conflict with Ukraine, a war now stretching more than four years. The IOC’s decision comes two days afterRussia fired missilesat Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, killing at least 16 people. The IOC…

IOC no longer recommends restrictions on Russian athletes The International Olympic Committee no longer recommends restrictions on athletes from Russia in international sports and provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, paving the way for broad Russian participation at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “We wanted to ensure all athletes have the possibility to compete at the Olympic Games and not be held responsible for their governments’ actions, and I believe that this is what this decision speaks to,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. “It allows for Russian athletes to take part in sport competitions, but we’ve also been very clear that we do not condone any violence and war around the world, and we will continue with that stance.” From March 2023 until now, the IOC recommended that athletes from Russia can return to competition as neutral athletes in individual events and only if they do not actively support the war in Ukraine that began in February 2022. Select athletes from Russia and Belarus competed as individual neutral athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics — 32 total athletes — and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games — 20 athletes. Russia — …

IOC's controversial Russia decision draws a new line for all future ... Allowing Russia's athletes to compete as the country's invasion of Ukraine wears on will be controversial. It also gives the IOC a way around similar future conflicts.Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images Since the torch went out to close the Putin Olympics — sorry, the Sochi Winter Games — more than a dozen years ago, the people who run the International Olympic Committee and those who oversee sport in Russia have shared nary a common thought. Those Olympic officials discovered — not by their own investigation, but by journalists — that the Sochi Games were close to farcical because the Russian state systemically organized a doping program to pump up their athletes and therefore their medal haul. Their disagreements are deep and understandable. Advertisement Here we are, more than a decade later, and the IOC ispreparing to again recognize the Russian Olympic Committee, which will in turn have a pathway to send athletes and teams to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a decision confirmed Tuesday, though whether the L.A. Games will fly the Russian flag or belt out the Russian anthem will be determined at a la…

International Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban as It Continues ... Honest, paywall-free news is rare. Please support our boldly independent journalism witha donationof any size. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday that it’s lifting its three-year suspension of Russia, paving the way for Russian athletes to compete in future Olympic Games despite the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The groupsaidin a press release that the decision was made after a “thorough analysis” by its legal arm concluded that the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) no longer includes member groups from territories under the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine’s jurisdiction. The decision over whether or not to allow the display of the Russian flag and colors or the playing of its anthem will be made at a later date, the IOC said in its release. The committee will continue its ban on organizing events in Russia or inviting Russian officials to events. This would clear the way for Russian athletes, some of whom have been competing as “Individual Neutral Athletes” amid the ban, to participate in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The decisionmaking body also said that it would t…

Russia could compete at 2028 Olympics after suspension provisionally lifted The International Olympic Committee has not yet decided whether Russia can display its flag and colours or have its anthem played at the Games.

International Volleyball Federation lifts ban on Russian athletes after International Olympic Committee’s reversal <p>The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has cleared Russian athletes to compete in events held under its auspices.<p>

IOC sets stage for Russia’s return to global arena — Russian sports chief All eligibility checks on the neutral status of Russian athletes have been scrapped, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said

International Olympic Committee lifts Russia suspension ahead of 2028 LA Games The International Olympic Committee advised sports bodies to end a three-year program vetting Russians for neutral status ahead of qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

IOC Provisionally Lifts Ban on Russian Olympic Committee, Athletes to Return to International Competitions The IOC said its executive board had lifted that suspension but had not decided yet on whether Russia could display its flag, colors or have its anthem played at the Games.

Also it appears that in the IOC statement the Russian NOC is getting full privileges restored—which would be greater than the pre-2023 status quo when Russian athletes competed without the flag and anthem due to WADA sanctions. This is a full legitimization of the Russian state leading up to LA28.

The IOC just recommended bringing Russian athletes back to the Olympics. Here’s how Russia, Ukraine, and the West are reacting. <p>The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended lifting all restrictions on Russian athletes who had been barred from international competition following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and provisionally reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee. Since 2022, Russian athletes had either been barred from major competitions entirely or allowed to compete only as individuals in neutral status. The IOC recommendation does not automatically grant access to competitions — decisions will be made by the international federations governing each sport — but it significantly weakens the isolation of Russian sport. Meduza looked at how the decision is being received in Russia, Ukraine, and the West.<p>

IOC provisionally lifts ban on Russian Olympic Committee, athletes to ... IOC provisionally lifts ban on Russian Olympic Committee, athletes to return to international competitions Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox The IOC has yet to decide whether Russia may use its flag, anthem, or national colours at the Games. PHOTO: REUTERS Published Jul 07, 2026, 11:22 PM Updated Jul 08, 2026, 12:03 AM Set as preferred source Listen Summarise The IOC provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, allowing Russian athletes to return to international competitions. The suspension was due to Russia recognising regional Olympic councils in occupied Ukrainian territories, violating the Olympic Charter. The IOC will monitor ROC activities closely and has not yet decided on Russia's flag, colours, or anthem at upcoming Games. AI generated LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on July 7, a step towards Russia’s return to the Olympic fold ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the ROC was suspended in O…

IOC executive board lifts suspension of Russian Olympic Committee IOC executive board lifts suspension of Russian Olympic Committee Tyler Kuehl ( TJKu29 ) Jul 7, 2026, 11:59 EDT Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports A sizeable step has been taken in allowing Russian athletes back on the world stage in hockey. On Tuesday, the executive board of the International Olympic Committee announced that it has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, giving the nation’s athletes a chance to compete and qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games. IOC MEDIA @ iocmedia · Follow The IOC Executive Board has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. Recommendations to International Federations with regard to Russian athletes’ participation are no longer applicable. Read: oly.ch/3QZyYfO 2:38 PM · Jul 7, 2026 206 Reply Copy link Read 148 replies The decision ends a nearly three-year ban on the ROC being allowed to compete at the Olympics. It came in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shortly after the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Since then, Russian athletes have been allowed to compete under a neutral fl…

Kremlin Welcomes Decision to Lift Ban on Russian Olympic Committee July 8, 2026 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency The Kremlin on Wednesday welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s decision to provisionally lift its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, but said that the full return of Russian athletes to international competition will require further work. On Tuesday, the IOC announced that it had reversed its October 2023 suspension of the ROC to provide “equal access” to Russian athletes and teams ahead of qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games and the 2028 Winter Youth Olympics in Italy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the decision an “important step” toward restoring relations with the ROC and returning Russian athletes to "their rightful place in international competitions.” However, Peskov noted during a daily briefing that “work will continue through our sports authorities.” Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov said Tuesday that the reinstatement opens a “direct path” for international governing bodies to welcome Russian teams back. According to Degtyaryov, 10 international federations already allow both adu…

IOC eases restrictions on Russian athletes ahead of 2028 games The International Olympic Committee has lifted some of the restrictions on Russian athletes.

International Olympic Committee recommends lifting all restrictions on ... The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended lifting all restrictions on Russian athletes and has temporarily reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), the organization announced on its website. Restrictions on the ROC had been in place since October 2023, imposed after Russia added the Olympic councils of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), along with the annexed Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, to the ROC. The IOC’s legal affairs commission conducted what it called a “thorough review” before deciding on the ROC. The decision took into account that the ROC no longer includes sports organizations in territories under the jurisdiction of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee (NOC). The ROC confirmed that it does not and will not operate in the annexed territories, according to the statement. Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarevreportedin April that unnamed regional sports organizations had been removed from the ROC. The IOC did not say how long the restrictions on the ROC would remain lifted. Its Executive Board pledged to monitor the s…

IOC Decision to Reinstate Russia Marks a Fundamental Break from Olympic ... IOC Decision to Reinstate Russia Marks a Fundamental Break from Olympic Values Joint Statement Jul 7 Written By Global Athlete 7 July 2026 Global Athlete and FairSport condemn the International Olympic Committee's recent decision to amend the Olympic Charter and today’s blatant set up to reinstate Russia as a full participant in the Olympic Movement. This decision represents a fundamental departure from the principles of Olympism. By welcoming Russia back into the Olympic fold despite its history of state-sponsored doping and its ongoing war against Ukraine, the IOC has chosen to rewrite, to lower, its own standards for stakeholder accountability. The IOC has not simply changed its Charter; it has changed what the Olympic Movement stands for. The message is unmistakable: a war of aggression that uses the Olympics as a launchpad and targets sports infrastructure is no longer a barrier to full participation in the Olympic Movement. Neither is state-sponsored systematic doping and an associated coverup. Blatant and recurring violations of the Olympic Charter beget no consequences. Russia's record is well docu…

International Olympic Committee recommends lifting all restrictions on Russian athletes ahead of 2028 Los Angeles Games <p>The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended lifting all restrictions on Russian athletes and has temporarily reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), the organization announced on its website.<p>

IOC reinstatement to accelerate Russian athletes' return, says sports ... Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia 2026-07-08 08:06:00 MOSCOW, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to provisionally reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) will accelerate the return of Russian athletes to international competition, Russian Sports Minister and ROC President Mikhail Degtyarev said Tuesday. The IOC Executive Board approved the reinstatement at its meeting on Tuesday. In a social media post, Degtyarev said the IOC had also withdrawn its March 2023 recommendations requiring Russian athletes to compete under neutral status and barring Russian teams from international events. He said neutrality checks on Russian athletes had been abolished and the IOC had lifted its recommendation against staging international competitions in Russia. Returning athletes will be tested by the International Testing Agency until the Russian Anti-Doping Agency is reinstated, he added. Degtyarev said the decision was the result of sustained legal and diplomatic efforts by Russia's Sports Ministry and the ROC and would encourage international sports federations to restore the p…

Russia's Path To LA28 Games: Kremlin Reacts To New Olympic Guidance Track and field has already said it will not follow suit and there is no sign yet of changes which could let Russia return to major soccer events like Euro 2028 or a future World Cup The Kremlin has welcomed International Olympic Committee’s decision to remove many of its restrictions on Russia The IOC provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee The IOC’s guidance to reintegrate Russians in international events is not binding for the governing bodies of individual sports The Kremlin has welcomed as an “important step” the International Olympic Committee’s decision to remove many of its restrictions on Russia, a big step closer to letting it field a full team when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games. The IOC provisionallylifted a suspensionof the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies they no longer need to be vetting itsathletesfor permission to compete as neutrals. “It is an important step toward reinstating our athletes’ legitimate rights to participate in international competitions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday. “Work will continue thro…

As Russia continues bombing Ukraine, international sports organizations embrace Moscow As Russia continues its war of conquest against Ukraine, causing thousands of deaths, international sports organizations are eyeing to welcome Russian athletes and teams back into international competition. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to lift its suspension on Russian participation on July 7, provoking angry reactions from Ukraine and across Europe. Russia had been banned from participating in Olympic sports since 2022, following the start of its all-out war, and was furt

IOC eases restrictions on Russians before 2028 as anthem, flag ban remains The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday lifted restrictions on Russian athletes allowing them to compete in team events and in qualifying competitions for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.However, the IOC, meeting in Lausanne, kept in place the ban on the Russian national anthem being played and the flag being displayed, for the time being, but stipulated returning Russian athletes would have to pass “multiple” doping tests before being allowed to participate.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The accompanying statement, laying out a host of conditions, said individual sports could decide whether to allow the flag and anthem at their own events or stage competitions in Russia.As for the Games, with the Los Angeles Olympics two years away, the IOC said it “will take a decision in relation to the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colors or any identifications for the Olympic Games at the appropriate time.”Russia welcomed

Russian athletes might compete at 2028 LA Olympics after IOC lifts ... OLYMPICS 2028 Summer Olympics - Los Angeles Add Topic Russian athletes might compete at 2028 LA Olympics after IOC lifts suspension Danielle Lerner USA TODAY July 7, 2026, 12:49 p.m. ET Hear this story The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its three-year suspension on the Russian Olympic Committee, clearing a path for Russian athletes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The IOC enacted the suspension in 2023 after Russia invaded Ukraine. At the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Russian athletes who the IOC determined had not publicly supported the war were allowed to compete as neutral athletes but not under the Russian flag. On Tuesday, July 7, the IOC announced it would no longer advise Olympic sports bodies to vet Russian athletes for neutrality. The IOC said it will not organize IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events. "The IOC will take a decision in relation to the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any identifications for the Olympic Games at the appropriate time," the IOC said in a statement. The nex…