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1h ago

IOC Provisionally Lifts Suspension of Russian Olympic Committee

The move ends the neutral vetting program, opens a path for Russian athletes to qualify for Los Angeles 2028, requires independent anti‑doping testing, preserves limits on IOC events in Russia, leaves national flags and anthems undecided.

A view shows the Russian Olympic Committee headquarters in Moscow, Russia, October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File Photo
A view through a fence shows the Russian Olympic Committee headquarters in Moscow, Russia, October 13, 2023. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) was banned by the International Olympic Committee for recognizing regional organizations from four territories annexed from Ukraine, according to the IOC. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina
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Overview

  • The IOC executive board provisionally lifted the ROC suspension on Tuesday after a Legal Affairs review found the committee no longer includes regional bodies from Ukrainian‑controlled territories.
  • The IOC advised federations to stop the three‑year vetting of Russian athletes for neutral status so competitors can pursue qualification for the LA 2028 Games.
  • Returning Russian athletes must submit to multiple, independent doping controls and join a recognized testing program overseen by bodies such as the International Testing Agency to address integrity concerns.
  • The IOC kept political limits in place by banning IOC events and invitations to Russian state officials in Russia, and it left decisions on the use of Russia’s flag, anthem and colours for a later time.
  • Federations retain the right to set their own rules and some have already readmitted Russians, a patchwork that could produce mixed participation, diplomatic protests or selective boycotts at future events.