IOC president Kirsty Coventry certainly suggested as much recently when she said: “Our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments.”
Although she did not directly reference any particular country, the comments were widely interpreted to be hinting at a potential lifting of the partial Olympic ban on Russia and Belarus. Her words were welcomed warmly by Russian officials, with its sports minister suggesting the IOC could consider reinstatement in the spring.
So could Russia’s Olympic exile be over by the time of the LA Games in 2028? Notably, Paulo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s special representative for global partnerships, has appeared to support Russian participation at the Paralympics, reportedly saying that “sport is for all”., external
While some international sports organisations – such as World Athletics – have continued with blanket bans on Russian athletes, others have started to ease restrictions.
For instance, last year the International Judo Federation allowed them to compete under their national flag. And in December, the IOC advised sports governing bodies to let Russian youth athletes compete at international events again, under their own flag and national anthem.
In international football, there are also moves to reintegrate Russia. The country was unable to compete at the 2022 World Cup and 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 the sanction has “has not achieved anything” and “has just created more frustration and hatred”.
Ukraine’s opposition to such moves remains steadfast. 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 sporting community must stand together and demand that the IOC increase sanctions on Russia, not relax them.
“Russia should only be allowed back when the war ends and Russia withdraws from Ukraine. The peaceful nation of Ukraine needs support, not enablers.”
The IPC may have paved the way for other global sports bodies to try to follow suit. At at a time of geopolitical upheaval, and more frequent demands for these organisations to take a stand against certain countries, the suspension of Russia could be seen as undermining their insistence that sport and politics be kept separate.
But while the conflict continues, any moves by the IOC, Fifa or other sports bodies to do so will be met with considerable opposition, especially in Europe.
