IOC lifts provisional ban on Russian Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, creating a pathway for Russian athletes to compete under their national flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The decision, announced on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Lausanne, Switzerland, comes as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, including a deadly attack on Kyiv earlier this week.

The IOC suspended the Russian committee in October 2023 for recognizing regional Olympic councils in four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia: Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. The IOC stated the suspension was lifted because the Russian committee has now confirmed it does not and will not conduct activities in those territories. The organization emphasized its stance against the war in Ukraine remains unchanged and that it will not host events in Russia or invite Russian state officials to its events.

While the provisional reinstatement allows Russian athletes to enter qualification processes for the 2028 Olympics, key symbolic restrictions remain pending. The IOC stated it has not yet decided whether the Russian flag, anthem, or colors will be permitted at the Los Angeles...