Belarus reinstated to international competition by IOC but Russia ban remains

Both countries were banned from competing in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, although Russian and Belarusian athletes have been allowed to compete under a neutral flag since 2023.

However, the IOC has lifted the ban on Belarus ahead of the start of qualification events for the 2028 Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles.

The IOC statement said: "The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) no longer recommends any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by International Federations (IFs) and international sports event organisers.

"This objective has been reaffirmed through the wide-ranging discussions that have taken place as part of the 'Fit for the Future' process, during which the fundamental right of athletes to access sport and compete free from political interference or governmental pressure was confirmed by the IOC Executive Board in September 2025 and reaffirmed at the Olympic Summit in December 2025.

"The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict."

However, World Athletics rejected this recommendation in a statement, delivering a blow to Belarusian athletes hoping to compete in track or field.

The board followed the IOC's recommendations in 2022 to enforce a ban and extended it when revisiting the issue in 2023 and 2025.

A spokesperson for World Athletics said: "As a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, World Athletics sanctions implemented in March 2022 excluding Belarusian and Russian athletes, officials and supporting personnel from competition remain in place.

"Our council has made a clear decision that when there is tangible movement towards peace negotiations it can begin to review its decisions.

"We all hope this will be soon, but until that happens the council continues to be united in standing behind the decision it made in March 2022 and revisited in 2023 and 2025."

In its statement, the IOC was keen to point out the situations surrounding Russia and Belarus.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry has previously left the door open for Russia to compete in future editions.

The reasoning behind the continuing ban on Russia was stated as follows: "Whilst the ROC has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension, it remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues to review the matter. 

"The IOC EB [Executive Board] also noted with concern the recent information that has led to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) looking into the Russian anti-doping system. The IOC EB would therefore like to obtain a better understanding of this situation."

It added that "the NOC of Belarus is in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter."

Coventry expressed in February that "all athletes should be allowed to compete in sport, regardless of their government's actions", following comments from FIFA president Gianni Infantino stating his wish for Russia to rejoin the international fold in football.

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