The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday that it would lift restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete in team events and qualifying competitions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The decision comes two months after the IOC lifted restrictions for Russia's ally Belarus, whose athletes are now allowed to compete without any restrictions and with their national symbols.

Russia has been shut out of international sporting competitions since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The IOC suspended Russia's Olympic Committee in 2023 after Russia unilaterally recognized regional sports organizations in four Ukrainian territories it illegally annexed.

Russian athletes were still able to compete as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, but only if they proved they did not support the war and had no affiliation with Russia's military or security forces.

In a statement, the IOC said a thorough analysis by its Legal Affairs Commission found that the Russian Olympic Committee no longer included any regional sports organizations in territories under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine as its members.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry told reporters the IOC opposes "any kind of violence and war and will continue to support Ukraine," but added that athletes "should not pay the price for this."

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the IOC's decision, saying it should clear the way for a full return of Russian athletes to the international stage. "Our country's return to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to reinstate all our athletes," he said.

However, the IOC said Russians will still undergo strict anti-doping procedures to "address the lack of confidence in the global sporting community." The IOC also said it will not organize events in Russia or invite Russian government officials. The ban on the Russian national anthem and flag also remains in place.

Source: www.dw.com