IOC Provisionally Restores Russian Olympic Committee Status Ahead of LA 2028

The International Olympic Committee has provisionally ended its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, a move that advances Russia's possible return to the Olympic Movement ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The ROC was suspended in October 2023 after it recognised regional Olympic councils in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia. The measure followed Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

According to the IOC, its executive board lifted the suspension but has not yet ruled on whether Russia may present its flag or colours, or whether its anthem may be played at the Games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the organisation would keep Russia under close watch. Ukraine offered no immediate response.

Russia's sports minister said the decision should open the door for Russian athletes to resume full participation on the global stage. Russian competitors took part as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games.

The IOC said it would continue to back Ukraine. Russia had been blocked from competing under its own flag at several Games after 2022, with many athletes allowed entry only as neutrals. Separately, the World Anti-Doping Agency imposed a four-year ban in 2019 after Moscow was found to have tampered with laboratory data; the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced that sanction to two years.