IOC provisionally lifts suspension on Russia's Olympic Committee ahead of 2028 Games
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 7, 2026, 4:03 PM
Last updated Jul 7, 2026
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of Russia's Olympic Committee (ROC) as of July 7, 2026. The decision concludes the strict vetting process for Russian athletes in advance of the upcoming qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Initially suspended in 2023 due to the ROC's control over sports bodies in occupied areas of Ukraine, the IOC stated that this situation has now changed. However, Russian athletes will still need to undergo anti-doping procedures before being able to compete internationally. The IOC continues to reject the inclusion of Russian government officials in their events and has emphasized its opposition to violence and war, while highlighting that athletes should not bear the brunt of political issues.
- •IOC lifts suspension of Russia's Olympic Committee as of July 7, 2026.
- •Vetting process for Russian athletes ends ahead of 2028 Games qualifying.
- •ROC was suspended in 2023 over control of sports bodies in occupied Ukraine.
- •Russian athletes must complete anti-doping procedures before competing.
- •IOC will not invite Russian officials to its events.
- 10:53 AMYahoo Sports — Kremlin hails 'important step' as IOC eases Olympic restrictions on Russia
- 5:28 PMYahoo Sports — IOC provisionally lifts nearly 3-year-old ban on Russian Olympic Committee amid qualification for 2028 Games
- 4:03 PMYahoo Sports — IOC provisionally lifts Russia suspension, ends vetting process
"The Kremlin has welcomed as an “important step” the International Olympic Committee's decision to remove many of its restrictions on Russia, a big step closer to letting it field a full team when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games. The IOC provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies they no longer need to be vetting its athletes for permission to compete as neutrals. “It is an important step toward reinstating our athletes’ legitimate rights to participate in international competitions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday.
"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of Russia's Olympic Committee (ROC) and ended its recommendations to sports federations for a strict vetting process for Russian athletes. The decision by the IOC executive board on Tuesday comes ahead of the start of qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
"The door has reopened for Russian athletes to compete as members of the ROC at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 8, 2026, 10:53 AMKremlin hails 'important step' as IOC eases Olympic restrictions on Russia
The Kremlin has welcomed as an “important step” the International Olympic Committee's decision to remove many of its restrictions on Russia, a big step closer to letting it field a full team when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games. The IOC provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and advised Olympic sports bodies they no longer need to be vetting its athletes for permission to compete as neutrals. “It is an important step toward reinstating our athletes’ legitimate rights to participate in international competitions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday.
- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 5:28 PMIOC provisionally lifts nearly 3-year-old ban on Russian Olympic Committee amid qualification for 2028 Games
The door has reopened for Russian athletes to compete as members of the ROC at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 4:03 PMIOC provisionally lifts Russia suspension, ends vetting process
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of Russia's Olympic Committee (ROC) and ended its recommendations to sports federations for a strict vetting process for Russian athletes. The decision by the IOC executive board on Tuesday comes ahead of the start of qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
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