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Rabat – The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, ending a sanction that had been in place since October 12, 2023.
The IOC said its Executive Board decided after a review by its Legal Affairs Commission. The committee said the ROC no longer includes regional sports organizations from territories under the jurisdiction of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee.
The ROC also confirmed to the IOC that it does not, and will not, conduct activities in those territories.
The IOC said it will continue to monitor the situation and reserves the right to take further measures if needed.
Why Russia was suspended
The Russian Olympic Committee was suspended in 2023 after recognizing regional Olympic councils in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
The IOC said at the time that the move violated the Olympic Charter and the territorial integrity of Ukraine’s Olympic body.
The suspension came after years of restrictions on Russian sport, first linked to the state-backed doping scandal, then to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete in recent Olympic events only as neutral athletes, without national symbols and under strict conditions.
What the decision means
The decision is a major step toward Russia’s wider return to Olympic sport before the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Reuters reported that Russian athletes could now return to many international competitions, including qualifiers for LA 2028.
However, the IOC has not yet decided whether Russia will be allowed to display its flag, use its colors, or have its anthem played at the Olympic Games.
That means the decision does not automatically restore Russia’s full Olympic status in the way Moscow may want.
Russian athletes returning to international competition will also have to meet anti-doping requirements, with concerns over Russia’s anti-doping system still unresolved.
Ukraine criticizes decision
Ukraine reacted strongly to the IOC decision.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry described the move as “troubling” and urged countries and international sports federations to keep restrictions on Russian participation and Russian state symbols.
Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych also criticized the decision, calling for national Olympic committees to oppose Russia’s return.
The decision is likely to remain controversial, especially as the war in Ukraine continues.
The IOC decision does not force every international federation to readmit Russian athletes immediately.
Some major sports bodies still have their own restrictions.
The Guardian reported that World Athletics has maintained its ban on Russian athletes, while FIFA and UEFA have not lifted their restrictions on Russian teams.
This means Russia’s return could happen differently from one sport to another.
For now, the IOC has opened the door.
