IOC Advises Ending Vetting Program for Russian Athletes Ahead of 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry announced at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, on June 24, that Olympic sports bodies should end a three-year program of vetting Russian athletes for neutral status. This change comes as preparations begin for qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In recent months, the IOC has signaled such a move. Two months prior, the committee advised that athletes from Belarus, Russia’s ally in its military activities against Ukraine, should be readmitted to compete under their national flags. Despite this shift, the IOC reaffirmed its commitment to the Olympic community in Ukraine and vowed to support it through ongoing conflict.

The IOC has eased entry requirements for Russian athletes in its events. It provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, which was in effect since October 2023. This suspension was originally imposed when the Russian Olympic Committee incorporated sports councils from regions of Ukraine under Russian occupation. The committee stated those conditions no longer apply.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, a limited number of 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus participated as approved neutrals, winning five medals. In comparison, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics saw more than 300 Russian athletes competing, resulting in 71 medals. The IOC has not yet allowed Russian athletes and teams to compete with their flag and anthem; this decision will occur at a later date.

The upcoming major Olympic event is the 2026 Youth Summer Games in Dakar, Senegal, beginning on October 31. To address concerns within the global sporting community regarding the reintegration of Russian athletes, the IOC requires these athletes to undergo numerous doping tests and participate in a recognized testing program.

The committee also stated that it will maintain its stance of not holding IOC events in Russia or inviting Russian government or state officials to its events.