IOC remove restrictions on one nation

As athletes begin to prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games, with qualification for the two competitions set to begin this summer, there will be those individuals from one country in particular that will be celebrating the chance to represent their nation once again.

While it was possible for athletes from this nation to compete in the Olympics under a neutral banner, for many individuals there is no other feeling better than winning a medal in the colours of their country’s flag.

Now, the International Olympic Committee has made the announcement that a ban on Belarusian athletes and teams should be lifted.

Belarus received a partial ban from Olympic competition after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as they are a close ally of Russia.

While it has been suggested by the IOC that Belarus should have their ban lifted, the restrictions on Russia should remain in place.

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

Silver medalists Marharyta Makhneva, Nadzeya Papok, Volha Khudzenka and Maryna Litvinchuk of Team Belarus celebrate (Getty Images)

“Since the issuance of the IOC recommendations for IFs and international sports event organisers on 28 March 2023, athletes with a Belarusian passport have participated as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) in numerous international sporting events, as well as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, without any incident on or off the field of play.”

This suggestion is positive news for Belarussian athletes; however, the IOC addressed in their statement their decision not to recommend the lifting of the ban on Russian athletes.

The IOC said: “The situation relating to the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) is different from that relating to the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus.

“The NOC of Belarus is in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter. 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 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.”