Overview
- The IOC Executive Board said it no longer recommends any limits on Belarusian participation in events run by international federations.
- The decision allows Belarusian athletes and teams to compete under their flag and anthem and to enter Los Angeles 2028 qualifying events.
- World Athletics said its 2022 bans on Belarusian and Russian athletes, officials, and support staff remain in force until there is tangible progress toward peace.
- The IOC said athletes should not be punished for actions taken by their governments and framed the move as protecting a basic right to compete.
- Since 2022, most Belarusian and Russian athletes were barred or allowed only as vetted neutrals in individual events at Paris 2024 and Milan‑Cortina 2026, so any return will unfold sport by sport as federations apply their own rules.