IOC lifts Russia Olympic suspension ahead of LA 2028 qualifiers
What's next: Russian athletes can re-enter international events, but the IOC still has not restored Russia's flag and anthem.
The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and told international sports federations that special restrictions on Russian athletes no longer apply. The decision opens a path for Russians to compete in international championships, including qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The IOC said the suspension terms imposed in October 2023 no longer applied after the Russian Olympic Committee removed sports bodies from occupied Ukrainian regions from its membership. Russia's full national symbols remain undecided, and the IOC said any ruling on the flag, anthem and colors will come later. Russian athletes must still meet anti-doping requirements, and the IOC said it will keep monitoring the committee's conduct.