The International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifts the suspension on Russia that was imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, clearing the way for Russian athletes to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Multiple outlets report that the decision enables Russia to return to Olympic competition, though important conditions remain unresolved. In particular, the IOC has not yet announced whether Russian athletes would be allowed to compete under the Russian flag or colours, and whether the Russian anthem would be played during medal ceremonies.
The outlets also note that Russia’s earlier Olympic participation was limited. A small number of Russian athletes were permitted to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics and at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games only as authorised neutral athletes, following IOC vetting checks. Those checks focused on whether individual athletes had offered public support for the war in Ukraine.
While Russia’s return to Olympic events is now formally possible for LA 2028, the final details regarding symbols and national representation are still to be decided by the IOC.
