IOC Recommends National Symbols for Russian, Belarusian Youth Athletes

The International Olympic Committee recommended on Thursday that youth athletes from Russia and Belarus be permitted to compete in international events under their national flags, anthems, and other symbols, marking a partial easing of sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The decision emerged from the Olympic Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland, where IOC President Kirsty Coventry chaired discussions among key stakeholders. The summit endorsed the IOC Executive Board's proposal, urging international sports federations and event organizers to adopt the change for youth competitions. Implementation is expected to require time, with standard protocols on flags, anthems, uniforms, and related elements applying only if the relevant national sports organizations maintain good standing and comply with international standards.

The recommendation specifically targets events like the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled from October 31 to November 13. Organizers there plan to incorporate the new guidelines, and the IOC encouraged similar adoption across other youth-level competitions. In its statement, the IOC emphasized that young athletes should not...