IOC Allows Russian Athletes to Compete in 2028 Olympics
WHO:
Daily Mail Sports - Russian athletes and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) are involved.
olympics.com - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the governing body making decisions regarding athlete participation.
WHAT:
NPR - The IOC advised Olympic sports bodies to end a three-year program vetting Russians for neutral status ahead of qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
NPR - Just 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics as approved neutrals, winning a combined total of five medals.
NPR - The Russian team had more than 300 athletes at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and won 71 medals.
Daily Mail Sports - Only a tiny number of Russians were able to compete in Paris and Milan due to the ban imposed in 2023.
Boston.com - The IOC stated that the timing for lifting the ban on Russian athletes is due to the start of qualifying events for the LA28 Olympic Games and the need to offer equal access to competitions for all athletes.
olympics.com - The IOC confirmed that it no longer recommends restrictions on Belarusian athletes’ participation, a decision made in May 2026.
Daily Mail Sports - A ban on Russian athletes was imposed in 2023 following the invasion of Ukraine.
olympics.com - The IOC provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.
olympics.com - The IOC decided that its recommended conditions of participation for International Federations (IFs) regarding Russian athletes are no longer applicable.
olympics.com - Russian athletes must meet anti-doping requirements to return to international competition.
olympics.com - The IOC will instruct the International Testing Agency (ITA) to ensure that all qualified Russian athletes have been subject to independent testing if RUSADA is still considered non-compliant by WADA in 2028.
WHERE:
olympics.com - The 2028 Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles.
WHEN:
olympics.com - The qualification period for the LA28 Olympic Games has started.
olympics.com - The Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games will also take place in 2028.
WHY:
olympics.com - The IOC aims to address the lack of confidence in the global sporting community regarding the return of Russian athletes to international competition.
olympics.com - The IOC aims to offer equal access to competitions for all athletes.
olympics.com - The IOC condemned the invasion of Ukraine and maintains its stance against wars and armed conflicts.
HOW:
NPR - The IOC stated that to address the lack of confidence in the global sporting community regarding the return of Russian athletes, those athletes must undergo multiple doping controls and be part of a recognized testing program.
olympics.com - Russian athletes returning to international competition must be part of a national anti-doping programme that includes a risk assessment, test distribution plan, and results management delegated to the International Testing Agency (ITA).
olympics.com - The IOC will instruct the International Testing Agency (ITA) to ensure that all qualified Russian athletes have undergone independent testing if RUSADA is still considered non-compliant by WADA in 2028.
olympics.com - Russian athletes returning to international competition must be part of a national anti-doping programme and undergo multiple tests prior to their return.
olympics.com - IFs are responsible for establishing the timeframe for testing prior to athletes' return to competition.
The International Olympic Committee has advised Olympic sports bodies to conclude a three-year program that was vetting Russian athletes for neutral status ahead of the qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, only 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed as approved neutrals, collectively winning five medals, a stark contrast to the more than 300 athletes from Russia who participated in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and secured 71 medals. The IOC emphasized that to rebuild trust in the global sporting community regarding the return of Russian athletes, they must undergo multiple doping controls and participate in a recognized testing program.