The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended easing existing restrictions on Russian athletes and opened the door for their broader return to international competitions. According to a Tuesday statement, the IOC Executive Board stated that previously applicable conditions regarding Russian athletes and teams—including protective measures—are no longer in force. At the same time, it emphasized that all Russian athletes returning to competition must meet current anti-doping requirements.

This decision comes more than four years after the start of the war in Ukraine, following which the IOC recommended in February 2022 that international federations exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competitions. At the time, the committee argued for protecting the integrity of sporting events as well as participant safety. In subsequent years, rules evolved: at the Paris Olympics in 2024, only selected Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to compete as neutral individuals without flags, anthems, or team participation. A similar limited regime applied to the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2026.

According to Reuters, on Tuesday the IOC also provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), which had been in place since October 2023. At that time, the Russian committee was penalized for recognizing regional Olympic councils in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia—an act deemed a violation of the Olympic Charter and the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian Olympic Committee.

However, this does not mean an automatic full-scale return for Russia. The IOC has yet to decide whether Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under the Russian flag, national colors, and anthem at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The committee also stated it would continue monitoring ROC activities in originally Ukrainian territories and reserves the right to take further action if necessary.

The decision immediately sparked outrage in Ukraine. Skeletonist Vladyslav Heraskevych condemned the IOC's move as shameful and called on national Olympic committees to form a coalition against Russia’s return. He warned that sport could again serve Russian propaganda, especially without sufficient oversight of athletes supporting the war.

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