IOC President Kirsty Coventry certainly suggested as much recently when she said: “Our game is sport. That means keeping sport as neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by politics or the divisions of their governments.”
Although he made no direct reference to any particular country, the comments were widely interpreted as hinting at a possible lifting of the partial Olympic ban imposed on Russia and Belarus. His words were received warmly by Russian officials, and his sports minister suggested that the IOC could consider his reinstatement in the spring.
So could Russia’s Olympic exile be over by the time the Los Angeles Games take place in 2028? In particular, Paulo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s special representative for global partnerships, appeared to support Russian participation in the Paralympic Games, reportedly saying that “sport is for everyone.”, external
While some international sports organizations, such as World Athletics, have continued blanket bans on Russian athletes, others have begun to ease restrictions.
For example, last year the International Judo Federation allowed them to compete under their national flag. And in December, the IOC advised the sport’s governing bodies to allow young Russian athletes to compete in international events again, under their own flag and national anthem.
In international football there are also movements to reintegrate Russia. The country was unable to compete in the 2022 World Cup or Euro 2024, and will not be part of the 2026 World Cup. However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently said the governing body would consider lifting its ban, adding that the sanction “has achieved nothing” and “has simply created more frustration and hatred.”
Ukraine’s opposition to such measures remains strong. According to its Sports Minister, Russia has killed more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches and damaged 814 sports facilities.
Global Athlete, an international athlete-led movement and campaign group, says: “Now is the time for sport to show leadership, not weakness.
“The global sports community must remain united and demand that the IOC increase sanctions on Russia, not relax them.
“Russia should only be allowed to return when the war is over and Russia withdraws from Ukraine. The peaceful nation of Ukraine needs support, not enablers.”
The IPC may have paved the way for other global sporting bodies to try to follow suit. At a time of geopolitical turmoil and more frequent demands for these organizations to take a stance against certain countries, Russia’s suspension could be seen as weakening its insistence that sport and politics be kept separate.
But while the conflict continues, any action by the IOC, FIFA or other sporting bodies on the matter will encounter considerable opposition, especially in Europe.
