IOC provisionally lifts suspension of Russian Olympic Committee

by International Olympic Committee 7 Jul 15:53 BST

Recommendations to IFs with regard to Russian athletes' participation no longer applicable

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) that had been in effect since 12 October 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 (NOC) of Ukraine. In addition, the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories. The IOC EB 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.

With the qualification period for both the LA28 Olympic Games and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games having started, and the need to offer equal access to these competitions to all athletes, the IOC EB decided that its recommended conditions of participation for International Federations (IFs) and international sports event organisers of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 as they relate to Russian athletes and teams, including the protective measures, are no longer applicable.

In accordance with the Olympic Charter, and as applicable to all NOCs in general when selecting the athletes participating in the Olympic Games, the ROC must ensure that Russian athletes' "selection [for the Olympic Games] shall be based not only on their sports performance, but also on their ability to serve as role models who respect, uphold and promote a peaceful society through sport as set forth in the Olympic Charter." (Bye-law 2.1 to Rules 27 and 28).

The IOC already decided in May 2026 that it no longer recommends restrictions on Belarusian athletes' participation.

To address the lack of confidence in the global sporting community relating to the return of Russian athletes to international competition and in view of the recent allegations regarding the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA)'s governance, and pending confirmation that reinstatement conditions concerning the World Anti-Doping Code have been met, all Russian athletes returning to international competition must meet relevant anti-doping requirements, particularly those set out in the anti-doping rules of the IOC and IFs, as well as best practices established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In particular:

• Russian athletes returning to international competition must be part of a national (RUSADA/ROC) anti-doping programme (including risk assessment, test distribution plan and results management) that is delegated to the International Testing Agency (ITA).
• All athletes newly returning to international competition must have been tested multiple times prior to their return based on a sports risk assessment.
• Considering the timeline of qualification events for the LA28 Olympic Games, and to ensure a fair opportunity for participation, the IFs are responsible for establishing the timeframe during which such testing must have occurred prior to any athletes newly returning to international competition, or for those who have not already been included in a registered testing pool.
• IFs, as part of their anti-doping programme, must agree on an overall testing programme with the ITA, including the adequate number of tests needed and the timeframe for testing.
• Should RUSADA still be considered non-compliant by WADA in 2028 prior to the LA28 Olympic Games, the IOC will instruct the ITA to ensure that all qualified Russian athletes have been subject to independent testing following the same approach.

The decision on whether to host events and sports competitions in Russia, to invite Russian government or state officials to competitions, or to allow the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any other identifications, is at the discretion of each IF and international sports event organiser, and should reflect whether their national federations are in good standing. In this respect, the IOC will not organise IOC events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events. The IOC will take a decision in relation to the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any identifications for the Olympic Games at the appropriate time.

Has the IOC changed its view on the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

No. The IOC took a very clear stance against the invasion, strongly condemning it. This position remains unchanged. More broadly, the IOC condemns wars, armed conflicts and violence that cause human suffering wherever they occur. At a time of growing instability and division around the world, the IOC remains committed to promoting peace through sport among people and nations.

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

These efforts take the form not just of financial aid, but also logistical support to make it possible for Ukrainian athletes to continue to take part in competitions by providing travel support, training facilities, accommodation, equipment and uniforms, amongst other things. This support, and the support of many IFs, contributed to the successful participation of Ukrainian athletes and teamsin the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The IOC will continue its support through the existing solidarity programmes.

Why did the IOC issue recommendations to IFs and international sports event organisers in March 2023?

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in February 2022 the IOC EB recommended that IFs and international sports event organisers not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions. Following a request from the 11th Olympic Summit later that year, in March 2023, the IOC EB issued its recommendations for IFs and international sports event organisers regarding the return to international competition for athletes holding a Russian or Belarusian passport as Individual Neutral Athletes (IOC recommendations).

Did the implementation of these recommendations work?

Since the recommendations were issued, Individual Neutral Athletes have participated in numerous international IF events, as well as in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With rare exceptions, Individual Neutral Athletes have participated without any incident on or off the field of play.

How have the complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context shaped the discussions in the IOC, and how has the approach to neutrality changed since March 2023?

The IOC has to navigate the complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context. Amidst growing global instability and conflict, the IOC must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world. This objective has been reaffirmed through the wide-ranging discussions that have taken place as part of the "Fit for the Future" process, during which the fundamental right of athletes to access sport and to compete free from political interference or governmental pressure was reaffirmed at the Olympic Summit in December 2025, the IOC Executive Board meeting in September 2025 and the IOC Session in June 2026. In June 2026, the IOC Session voted to reinforce the Fundamental Principles of Olympism and their application in the Olympic Charter.

What is the IOC's view on athletes' participation in international competition if their governments are involved in a war or conflict?

The IOC recognises that an athlete's participation in international competition should not be limited by the involvement of their government in a war or conflict. In this regard, in December 2025, in view of the upcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the Olympic Summit endorsed the IOC EB's decision that youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports. Furthermore, at its meeting on 7 May 2026, the IOC EB decided to lift the recommended conditions of participation for International Federations and international sports event organisers of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 as they relate to Belarus and Belarusian athletes, including the protective measures.

How have IFs been implementing the IOC recommendations?

Since issuing its recommendations, the IOC notes that the IFs have interpreted and implemented these based on their separate realities and the rules of their statutes relating to the participation of Russian athletes in their competitions, ranging from full admission of athletes without additional eligibility checks and with all protocol elements, such as flag and anthem, to a strict interpretation of a neutrality status or no return to competition in any capacity.