IOC provisionally lifts nearly 3-year-old ban on Russian Olympic Committee amid qualification for 2028 Games

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The International Olympic Committee announced Tuesday, during the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, that it’s provisionally lifted a nearly three-year-old ban on the Russian Olympic Committee. That suspension arrived on Oct. 12, 2023, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and it prevented Russian athletes from competing as members of the ROC.

In its Tuesday statement, the IOC explained that it’s decision was based on a thorough analysis by the governing body’s legal affairs commission, which determined “that the ROC no longer includes as its members any regional sports organizations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine.”

“In addition, the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories,” the statement continues to read.

The IOC said its executive board will monitor any ROC activities in those areas, reserving its right to change course if necessary. Additionally, the IOC clarified that it still denounces Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and, in general, “condemns wars, armed conflicts and violence that cause human suffering wherever they occur.”

The war between Russia and Ukraine is ongoing. Just days ago, Russia launched its latest attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with 16 deaths and several other injuries resulting from a missile strike, as reported by The New York Times.

While the door has reopened for Russian athletes to compete as members of the ROC at the LA Games, and at other future Olympics, the IOC said it will make a decision regarding the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colors or any identifications during the Olympics "at the appropriate time."

It also noted that, in recognition of the dubious Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), all Russian athletes coming back to international competition have to meet relevant anti-doping requirements, notably testing “multiple times,” and that if RUSADA remains non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s standards prior to LA28, Russian athletes will be mandated to undergo independent testing.

Plus, the IOC declared that it won’t organize events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.

“The IOC stands in solidarity with the Olympic community of Ukraine, which the Olympic Movement has supported since the beginning of the war, and will continue to do so,” the IOC said in its statement.

“The IOC established a Solidarity Fund for Ukraine so that the athletes have support to overcome the tremendous challenges they continue to face.”

Tuesday’s announcement from the IOC comes two months after it advised that athletes from Belarus, a military ally of Russia in its war with Ukraine, shouldn’t be vetted for neutral competition status.

“We wanted to ensure all athletes have the possibility to compete at the Olympic Games and not be held responsible for their governments’ actions,” IOC president Kirsty Coventry said in a news conference following Tuesday’s memo, per The Athletic.

“And I believe that this is what this decision speaks to. It allows for Russian athletes to take part in sport competitions, but we’ve also been very clear that we don’t condone any violence and war around the world.”