IOC lifts provisional suspension of Russian Olympic Committee, letting athletes compete again

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) after removing four regional sports organisations from occupied Ukrainian territories. The decision permits Russian athletes to return to international competition, but they remain barred from competing under the Russian flag or anthem and will be subject to monitoring of public statements and social‑media activity.

Ukraine’s sports minister Matviy Bidnyi condemned the move as a deliberate disregard of reality, calling it “deeply unfair” and urging IOC President Kirsty Coventry to visit Ukraine before further decisions. Russian officials, including Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, welcomed the ruling as a step toward full reinstatement ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The IOC maintained that athletes should not be punished for their governments’ actions while keeping certain restrictions in place.