The International Olympic Committee has lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, effective immediately. The decision clears the way for Belarusians to return to international competitions, including qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, under their own flag and anthem.
The IOC imposed sanctions on Russian and Belarusian athletes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Belarus serving as a staging ground for the attack. At the 2024 Paris Games and 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, only a limited number of Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as neutrals, in individual events only.
According to the IOC Executive Board, "The situation relating to the Russian Olympic Committee is different from that relating to the National Olympic Committee of Belarus. The NOC of Belarus is in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter." Russia's Olympic Committee was suspended in October 2023 for recognizing regional councils in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
The IOC confirmed the lifting of restrictions applies exclusively to Belarus. Speculation is growing that a similar decision could be made for Russia in the coming months.