IOC lifts restrictions on Belarus athletes, keeps Russia suspended

The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday it is lifting all recommended restrictions on Belarusian athletes, clearing them to compete under their national flag in international competitions while maintaining its suspension of Russia.

Full Reinstatement for Belarus

The IOC Executive Board said it no longer recommends any conditions on Belarusian athletes, including teams, competing in events governed by international federations and sports event organizers. The lifted measures include protective restrictions first introduced in February 2022 and updated on March 28, 2023, when the IOC allowed athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete only as individual neutral athletes in individual sports.sports.yahoo+2

"The IOC reaffirms that athletes' participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict," the organization said in a statement.english.news+1

Since those 2023 recommendations were issued, Belarusian athletes competed as Individual Neutral Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The IOC noted no incidents occurred on or off the field during those competitions.nbcsports+2

Russia Remains Suspended

The decision draws a clear distinction between the two countries. The IOC said the National Olympic Committee of Belarus is "in good standing and adheres to the Olympic Charter," whereas the Russian Olympic Committee remains suspended. The ROC was suspended in October 2023 after it incorporated sports organizations from occupied Ukrainian territories.economictimes+3

Russian athletes may still only compete as individual neutral athletes under IOC guidelines. However, World Aquatics last month lifted its own restrictions on both Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete with their national flags and anthems in swimming, diving, and water polo events.nbcsports+1

Road to LA28

The decision comes as international federations prepare qualification pathways for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The IOC's recommendation is not binding — individual sports federations must choose whether to adopt it. The gradual easing of restrictions began in December 2025, when the IOC recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian youth athletes to compete under their national identities at junior events, including the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.espn+3

Whether Russia's full reinstatement follows before LA28 remains uncertain, with the IOC continuing discussions with the ROC over the terms of its suspension.sports.yahoo+1