The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), opening the way for Russian athletes to compete in team events and qualification tournaments ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The decision marks a major shift in restrictions imposed on Russia’s sporting participation after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian athletes have been excluded from many international competitions since then, although some were allowed to compete as individual neutral athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics and the 2026 Winter Olympics under strict conditions.
The IOC said its Executive Board made the decision after a review by its Legal Affairs Commission found that the ROC no longer included regional sports organizations from territories that fall under the jurisdiction of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee.
The organization said the ROC had also confirmed that it would not carry out activities in those territories. However, the IOC said it would continue monitoring the situation and reserved the right to introduce further measures if necessary.
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