Russian athletes and teams can now again take part in international competitions, including qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The individual world sports federations will decide on the admission of Russian participants themselves.
The lifting of sanctions is part of a new strategic direction for the IOC. IOC Kirsty Coventry said the lifting of sanctions is “only logical given our new strategic direction: We have made it clear that we want to ensure that all athletes have the opportunity to take part in the Olympic Games without being held accountable for the actions of their government.” At the same time, Coventry said, the IOC has “made it unmistakably clear that we do not condone any violence or acts of war anywhere in the world. And we will stick to that position.” Russia welcomed the decision: “The IOC is sending a clear signal: the Olympic movement must remain free of politics,” Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev wrote on Telegram.
However, restrictions remain in place: Russian athletes may not initially compete under their own flag or anthem at the Olympic Games. They must also meet stricter anti-doping requirements, including multiple tests before participating in international competitions. The IOC will also not hold any events in Russia for the time being. A final decision on the flag and anthem is to be made at a later date.
The sanctions were imposed in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. The IOC excluded Russia and Belarus at that time. In autumn 2023, additional sanctions were imposed on the ROC for incorporating the annexed Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia into its structure. Belarus had already been fully readmitted by the IOC in May.
Source: www.spiegel.de
