The International Olympic Committee has issued a statement confirming Russia's ban has been removed ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles17:17, 07 Jul 2026Updated 17:48, 07 Jul 2026Russia’s Olympic ban has been lifted on a provisional basis by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The decision could lead to athletes competing under the Russian flag at the Olympics Games in Los Angeles in 2028.‌Athletes from Russia have been forced to enter competition under a neutral flag or represent the Russian Olympic Committee since 2018. It follows a number of doping scandals involving Russian competitors, as well as the February 2024 invasion of Ukraine.‌But on Tuesday, the IOC released a statement confirming it has lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. That opens the door to a full removal of the ban, although that is yet to be confirmed.‌An IOC statement said: “The International Olympic Committee executive board has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) that had been in effect since October 12, 2023.“The decision was taken following a thorough analysis by the IOC’s legal affairs commission, 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 of Ukraine.“In addition, the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories. The IOC executive board will continue to closely monitor the situation relating to any ROC activities in those territories, and reserves the right to take any further measures if deemed necessary.”‌In a statement, Russia welcomed the IOC's decision, saying the Olympics must be "free from politics" and also confirmed their intention to participate in the 2028 Games: "The IOC is sending a clear signal: the Olympic movement must remain free from politics," Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev said on Telegram.The IOC insisted that it remains steadfastly against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and "strongly condemns" their actions. However, the body added that it "recognises that an athlete's participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict".‌JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook pageIt comes months after a select number of Russian and Belarusian athletes were cleared to compete as neutrals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. No participation in team events was allowed.A month later, the same request was granted to Russian para athletes, who wanted to compete under their nation’s flag at the ⁠Winter Paralympics.Article continues belowThey had won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a ban from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. Several nations, including Ukraine, boycott the Paralympics opening ceremony over Russia's full participation.There were 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus at the 2024 Paris Olympics after being approved as neutrals athletes and they combined to win five medals. That was a vast reduction on the Russia team at Tokyo in 2021, which won 71 medals between over 300 athletes.