International sports organizations lift restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes

Following years of sanctions tied to the military invasion of Ukraine, international sports bodies have begun lifting bans on athletes from Russia and Belarus. The shift began in March 2023 with proposals to reinstate competitors on an individual, neutral basis for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. In September 2025, the International Paralympic Committee removed the ban entirely for the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, and other organizations including the International Judo Federation and European Gymnastics have followed suit. By July 2026, the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its ban on Russian athletes, clearing their participation for the 2028 Summer Olympics. These policy changes occur as United Nations reports indicate civilian casualties in Ukraine remain at high levels.

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