IOC lifts Olympic ban on Belarus but maintains suspension on Russia
The International Olympic Committee has lifted the ban on Belarusian athletes competing under their national flag, while confirming that restrictions against Russia remain firmly in place.
The updated guidance was issued by the executive board to international federations and sporting event organisers ahead of upcoming qualification periods.
Both nations originally faced immediate suspension from global Olympic competition following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
A partial relaxation was introduced last year, allowing competitors from the two countries to participate exclusively as individual neutral athletes.
Belarus complies with Olympic Charter
Officials reaffirmed the principle that individual sporting participation should not be restricted by governmental actions or involvement in geopolitical conflicts.
The governing body noted that athletes holding a Belarusian passport have recently competed neutrally at major international sporting showcases without incident.
This includes successful, controversy-free participation at the Paris 2024 Games and preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The National Olympic Committee of the Eastern European nation is currently deemed to be in good standing and fully compliant with the Olympic Charter.
Russian doping concerns prolong suspension
Despite earlier suggestions that Russian competitors might return for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, ongoing anti-doping controversies have stalled any reinstatement.
The World Anti-Doping Agency recently confirmed that over 300 sanctions have been issued following the seizure of data from a Moscow laboratory in 2019.
“While the ROC has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension, it remains suspended while the IOC legal affairs commission continues to review the matter,” the IOC stated.
“The IOC EB also noted with concern the recent information that has led to the World Anti-Doping Agency looking into the Russian anti-doping system.”
Mixed approach across international sport
Qualification periods for both the LA28 Olympic Games and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympics are set to officially begin this summer.
Other major sporting bodies have already taken divergent paths regarding the full reinstatement of athletes from the region.
The International Paralympic Committee and World Aquatics have recently permitted competitors from both countries to compete under their respective national flags.
However, suggestions by Fifa president Gianni Infantino to potentially lift the ban on Russian football teams were fiercely condemned as irresponsible by Ukraine sports minister Matvii Bidnyi.