Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina says she is saddened by an International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision affecting Belarusian athletes. Multiple reports note that the IOC last week lifted a ban on Belarusian athletes and teams that had been imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Svitolina, who has publicly supported Ukraine during the war, reacts to the change in eligibility and participation rules set by the IOC. The decision means Belarusian athletes can again compete under IOC-related arrangements, which previously had restricted their presence in Olympic events following the conflict’s start. The reports focus on Svitolina’s reaction rather than new policy details beyond the lifting of the ban, indicating that her response is tied to the broader sporting and diplomatic implications of the IOC’s ruling. Overall, the coverage reflects disagreement and emotional impact that the IOC’s reversal may have for some athletes connected to countries affected by the war, while the IOC’s stated action signals a shift in its approach to Belarusian participation.