Russia is set to return to the Olympic Games at the 2028 event in Los Angeles, following the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to lift its suspension on the country. The ban, imposed in 2023 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, had significantly limited Russian athletes' participation, allowing only a small number to compete as neutrals in the Paris Olympics and Milan Winter Games, provided they had not supported the war.
The IOC's decision paves the way for hundreds of Russian athletes to compete in the Los Angeles Games. While the IOC has yet to determine whether Russian athletes will be allowed to compete under their national flag and anthem, sources suggest this is likely to be a formality. The IOC stated that it will not host events in Russia or invite Russian officials to its events for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, due to concerns regarding Russia's anti-doping agency, Russian athletes will be subject to multiple tests by international agencies before being eligible for global competitions.
According to the IOC, the initial ban was not solely due to the war itself, but rather Russia's assertion of jurisdiction over claimed and disputed territories in Ukraine. The IOC's legal affairs commission has confirmed that the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes regional sports organizations from territories under Ukrainian jurisdiction. The committee also warned that the selection of Russian athletes will consider not only their sporting performance but also their adherence to the Olympic Charter's principles of promoting a peaceful society.