Russia could compete at 2028 Olympics after suspension provisionally lifted
The International Olympic Committee has not yet decided whether Russia can display its flag and colours or have its anthem played at the Games.
No decision has been made on whether Russia can display its flag, colours and anthem at the Olympic Games. (Reuters: Jim Young)
Russian athletes could be allowed to compete for their country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles after the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension.
No decision has been made on whether Russia can display its flag, colours and anthem at the Olympic Games.
The decision is unlikely to trigger full participation of Russian athletes across all sports, with many international federations still maintaining separate bans.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), marking a significant step towards Russia's reintegration into the Olympic fold ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the ROC was suspended in October 2023 for recognising regional Olympic councils in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine — Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
The IOC said on Tuesday its executive board had lifted that suspension, which will see Russian athletes back in many international competitions, including LA28 Olympic qualifiers, but had not yet decided whether Russia could display its flag and colours or have its anthem played at the Games.
"We don't condone any wars, including this one. We will continue to support Ukraine like we have since this started. But I don't believe athletes should pay the price," IOC President Kirsty Coventry told a press conference.
The decision marks the latest step by the IOC to ease Russia's return to international sport after urging federations in December to readmit Russian and Belarusian youth athletes under 23.
The Winter Olympics of Milano Cortina 2026 is another where Russian and Belarusian athletes will be largely absent, although there are a handful competing as individual neutral athletes.
"We made it clear that all athletes had the possibility to compete at the Olympic Games. This is what this decision speaks to. It allows Russian athletes to take part in sports competitions. We thought it was really important for athletes to have that possibility," Ms Coventry said.
Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev said the IOC's decision should clear the way for Russian athletes to make a full return to the international sporting stage.
"Our country's return to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to reinstate all our athletes," Mr Degtyarev said.
Russian athletes competed as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Oly
📌 Kaynak
Bu haber XML kaynağından derlenmiştir. Tamamı için orijinal habere gidin.
Orijinal haberi oku →