Russia could return to the Olympic Games. © APA/afp / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Russians at the Olympics soon? IOC lifts sanctions

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has largely lifted the sanctions against the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

July 08, 2026

From: apa/dpa

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne has lifted restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions. Whether Russian athletes and teams will be allowed to compete with their own flag and anthem at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles will be assessed at a later date.

The IOC thus withdrew its recommendations to organizers of international sporting events regarding the admission of Russian athletes after three years. The IOC had originally justified the sanctions against Russia by claiming that the ROC had violated the Olympic Charter by admitting the four annexed Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. However, Russia's Olympic Committee undermined this justification through a legal maneuver in sports law.

Belarus sanctions already lifted

Following the start of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine more than four years ago, the IOC imposed sanctions on both Russian and Belarusian athletes. Belarus supports Russia in the war against Ukraine. At the 2024 Paris Olympics and this year's Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, only individual athletes from each nation were allowed to participate as neutral athletes.

The IOC President explained the decision. © APA/afp / DANIELE MASCOLO

Several weeks ago, the IOC had already made it easier for athletes from Belarus to return to international competitions. According to the governing body, the participation of athletes in international competitions "should not be restricted by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict."

"We will continue to support Ukraine"

Before returning to the international stage, Russian athletes must undergo several doping tests, according to the IOC. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that Russian government officials will continue to be barred from the Olympic Games, and no IOC events will be awarded to Russia. How the international sports federations implement the IOC's revised guidelines is left to their discretion.

“We reject all forms of violence and war and will continue to support Ukraine,” Coventry affirmed, but added: “Even if I sound like a broken record: I don’t believe that athletes should pay the price.”