The IOC has lifted restrictions on Belarusian athletes: what this means for international competitions
8 May 03:22
The International Olympic Committee has lifted the restrictions on Belarusian athletes that had been in place since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Athletes from Belarus will now be able to return to international competitions under their national flag and anthem, including participating in the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Reuters reports on the decision of the IOC Executive Board, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
What the International Olympic Committee Decided
On May 7, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee announced that it no longer recommends restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions organized by international federations and sports event organizers.
This means that Belarusian athletes will be able to compete not only in individual disciplines but also in team sports. It also opens the door for them to participate in qualifying tournaments for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Why the restrictions were introduced in 2022
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC recommended that international sports federations bar Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competitions. The reason was that Belarus was being used by Russia as a springboard for the invasion of Ukraine.
Subsequently, some athletes from Russia and Belarus were allowed to compete only under a neutral status, without national flags, anthems, or symbols. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris and the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, such athletes could participate only under specific conditions.
Belarus is returning, but Russia remains under restrictions
The IOC emphasized that the lifting of restrictions applies specifically to Belarusian athletes. Sanctions against Russian athletes remain in effect.
According to Reuters, speculation is growing in sports circles that a similar decision regarding Russia could be made in the coming months.
However, there is currently no official decision to fully lift restrictions on Russians.
Athletics will not lift sanctions
Despite the IOC’s decision, not all international federations are automatically reinstating Belarusian athletes to competitions.
World Athletics has stated that sanctions against Belarusian and Russian athletes will remain in effect. World Athletics emphasized that it will not change its position until there is real progress on the issue of peace in Ukraine.
This means that the IOC’s decision is advisory for international federations, and the final eligibility rules may vary depending on the specific sport.
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What this means for the 2028 Olympics
The IOC’s decision effectively opens the door for Belarusian athletes to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
They will be able to participate in qualifying competitions, which will begin later this year, under the flag and anthem of Belarus. At the same time, for some sports, the final decision will remain with the international federations.
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