IOC no longer recommends restrictions on Belarusian athletes’ participation

[gsk8]

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. The IOC EB today lifted the recommended conditions of participation for International Federations and international sports event organisers of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 as they relate to Belarus and Belarusian athletes, including the protective measures.

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-no-longer-recommends-restrictions-on-belarusian-athletes-participation

What is the reasoning and why now?

As the IOC continues to navigate the ever-increasing complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context, including the rising number of wars and conflicts, and amidst growing global instability, it must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world.

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.

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.

In addition, the IOC recognises that the qualification period for both the LA28 Olympic Games and the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games starts this summer.

Why does the IOC decision not apply to athletes with a Russian passport?

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.

 

[Walt FSHunter]

The most disgusting decision. I was furious when I heard about it. The reaction of the Ukrainian NOC is here.

Україна засудила рішення МОК зняти обмеження з Білорусі

НОК України засудив рішення Міжнародного олімпійського комітету дозволити білоруським спортсменам виступати з прапором і гімном.

www.dw.com

Here is the translation.

On Thursday, May 7, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine sharply criticized the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions under their national symbols.
The Ukrainian committee stated that this decision, made by the IOC Executive Board, contradicts the principles of justice, accountability, and Olympic values. "The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine expresses its categorical protest and deep disappointment with this IOC decision, which runs counter to the fundamental principles of justice, responsibility, and Olympic values. This decision was made while Belarus continues to support the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and remains an accomplice to the war," the statement read.
The NOC of Ukraine pointed out that Belarusian territory is being used to launch Russian missiles and strike drones at Ukrainian cities, as well as for military logistics and support for the Russian army. According to the Ukrainian side, there have been no changes in the military or humanitarian context that could justify the return of Belarusian athletes to international competitions under national symbols.​

 

[Skating91]

The most disgusting decision. I was furious when I heard about it. The reaction of the Ukrainian NOC is here.

Україна засудила рішення МОК зняти обмеження з Білорусі

НОК України засудив рішення Міжнародного олімпійського комітету дозволити білоруським спортсменам виступати з прапором і гімном.

www.dw.com

Here is the translation.

On Thursday, May 7, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine sharply criticized the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to allow Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions under their national symbols.
The Ukrainian committee stated that this decision, made by the IOC Executive Board, contradicts the principles of justice, accountability, and Olympic values. "The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine expresses its categorical protest and deep disappointment with this IOC decision, which runs counter to the fundamental principles of justice, responsibility, and Olympic values. This decision was made while Belarus continues to support the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and remains an accomplice to the war," the statement read.
The NOC of Ukraine pointed out that Belarusian territory is being used to launch Russian missiles and strike drones at Ukrainian cities, as well as for military logistics and support for the Russian army. According to the Ukrainian side, there have been no changes in the military or humanitarian context that could justify the return of Belarusian athletes to international competitions under national symbols.​

Let's keep politics out of the discussion, unless you want to discuss all the major conflicts going on around the world with me in DMs.

 

[lariko]

Of course ISU didn't even move up the discussion on Russian juniors or announced any plans in respect to Belorussian figure skaters. As always, ISU choses delaying tactics and inaction. So frustrating. I really want serious, profound changes in the ISU so they will actually stop being such a clandestine hush-hush Union of Pouring from Void into Empty.

 

[4everchan]

Well... this is an IOC decision, not an ISU one.

The IOC is going step by step.
First they allowed back Russians and Belarussians fo the Paralympics.
Now, they are allowing Belarussians back...

they will test the water and then, you'll see the Russians will be back soon enough.
They are definitely going to check the doping issues though, if that's really a true factor as written in the press release.

 

[lariko]

Well... this is an IOC decision, not an ISU one.

The IOC is going step by step.
First they allowed back Russians and Belarussians fo the Paralympics.
Now, they are allowing Belarussians back...

they will test the water and then, you'll see the Russians will be back soon enough.
They are definitely going to check the doping issues though, if that's really a true factor as written in the press release.

I know that IOC is not ISU, and it's the lack of response from the ISU that frustrates me because it was on the IOC's lead that ISU acted in 2022 immediately and all-out. They like leaped on it back then. But now they sit on their hands for months, delaying and delaying and delaying. I don't know how many more times they can reschedule a decision on Russian juniors... and what about Belorussians? They didn't even respond with a statement to this day when IOC clearly said no more restrictions on Belorus from their corner. I mean, how long do we have to wait for them to even say something? In 5 days that had elapsed they are silent. That IOC moves faster than the ISU is mind boggling. They only have like 3 sports to manage & it's an off season. What are they doing? Why are they not moving? We waited for 5 years! We deserve to hear something by now.

 

[4everchan]

I know that IOC is not ISU, and it's the lack of response from the ISU that frustrates me because it was on the IOC's lead that ISU acted in 2022 immediately and all-out. They like leaped on it back then. But now they sit on their hands for months, delaying and delaying and delaying. I don't know how many more times they can reschedule a decision on Russian juniors... and what about Belorussians? They didn't even respond with a statement to this day when IOC clearly said no more restrictions on Belorus from their corner. I mean, how long do we have to wait for them to even say something? In 5 days that had elapsed they are silent. That IOC moves faster than the ISU is mind boggling. They only have like 3 sports to manage & it's an off season. What are they doing? Why are they not moving? We waited for 5 years! We deserve to hear something by now.

well, honestly, I haven't waited for 5 years. I still support the ban.
My understanding is that the ISU will deal with this when they meet in a congress of some sort.
The way it often works is that there are scheduled meeting and that things are discussed at those meetings. They will not, because, truly, it's off-season and it's not urgent, call an emergency meeting on this as they can deal with it at their next meeting.
Reinstating is not as urgent as banning is... for obvious reasons.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

How does one discuss such a topic without going into politics?
I, for once, am quite surprised IOC is so vocal about wanting to let skaters from banned countries back in. As far as I'm aware, the cause of said ban is still, you know, ongoing, nothing has changed in that matter. So why is that? Did IOC get bored or what?

 

[lariko]

well, honestly, I haven't waited for 5 years. I still support the ban.
My understanding is that the ISU will deal with this when they meet in a congress of some sort.
The way it often works is that there are scheduled meeting and that things are discussed at those meetings. They will not, because, truly, it's off-season and it's not urgent, call an emergency meeting on this as they can deal with it at their next meeting.
Reinstating is not as urgent as banning is... for obvious reasons.

I did wait patiently, but I can't be patient any more. FIVE YEARS! To put plainly, I am loosing all respect for ISU. ISU pulled the rag from under me 2x this year alone saying they will discuss/decide on juniors, then delaying it. They do not communicate, do not listen and do not care for what I want. It is not a Congress matter any longer as per RusFed's President's interview. It will be decided by the Council, so they only need the Council to meet and decide on juniors, a simple matter of a 15 Council members voting -- and I assume the same goes for Belorusians as well. The punishment that is indefinite is much harder than the one with a term on it, because there is no way to count down to the eventual release. It's just silence, silence and silence. They didn't say absolutely anything about Belorusians at all. The ISU ban punishes me, and I literally did absolutely nothing to deserve it, and I want to know if it will be over and if so, when.

 

[lariko]

How does one discuss such a topic without going into politics?
I, for once, am quite surprised IOC is so vocal about wanting to let skaters from banned countries back in. As far as I'm aware, the cause of said ban is still, you know, ongoing, nothing has changed in that matter. So why is that? Did IOC get bored or what?

The IOC statement linked above contains a comprehensive answer to this question that summarizes their position clearly, something that ISU failed to produce:

As the IOC continues to navigate the ever-increasing complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context, including the rising number of wars and conflicts, and amidst growing global instability, it must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world.

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.

So, if ISU disagrees with the IOC, they should release the statement along the lines of, "In the ice skating sports under our jurisdiction, athletes are held responsible for the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict" and then start applying this policy and rob the world of hope -- or state that in their view, everything is well with the world/removing nations from competitions does not detract from a hopeful outlook of the fanbase.

Whatever they chose, the ISU must respond to this development, not stay mum the way they are doing.

 

[NewLook]

Tennis fined Wimbledon for banning Russians from the start. Now Russians are competing in artistic swimming in teams where they have even better records than in figure skating. In short, the more sport association is for sport, the faster it reacts to unbanning Russians. The more it's corrupted, the slower it moves to unbanning. It's only logical that ISU supporters among fans are filthy-hearted.

 

[frompolandwithlove]

The IOC statement linked above contains a comprehensive answer to this question that summarizes their position clearly, something that ISU failed to produce:

Yeah, yeah, sure, but like... various IOC "recommendations" regarding banned atheletes appeared even before major recent geopolitical messes.

 

[lariko]

Yeah, yeah, sure, but like... various IOC "recommendations" regarding banned atheletes appeared even before major recent geopolitical messes.

Asked and answered, so do what you wish with your bile and gloating.

 

[Alfa]

And yet the Belarussian president was at a war victory ceremony in Russia recently.

This is double standards honestly. The IOC/ISU shouldn't be taken seriously anymore.

 

[lariko]

1 week after IOC's recommendation ISU maintains silence on the fate of Belorusian skaters
26 days to go until the 3-times delayed discussion on admission of Russian junior skaters by the ISU. ISU maintains silence on the issue.

 

[TontoK]

And yet the Belarussian president was at a war victory ceremony in Russia recently.

This is double standards honestly. The IOC/ISU shouldn't be taken seriously anymore.

Fine. Ban the Belarussian president from taking the ice in ISU events.

But punishing athletes to make a political point? No, I'm not on board with that.

Even when the Kim Jong Il was engaging in all sorts of nuclear related escalations, skating fans still welcomed the North Korean skaters - especially the pair. And that's because sport was, and still should be, separate from politics.

 

[gsk8]

This topic concerns an IOC geopolitical policy decision that extends well beyond figure skating competition itself. While members may hold strong and differing opinions, experience shows these discussions quickly shift into broader political debate rather than skating-related discussion, which is outside the scope of the forum and against the forum guidelines.

To avoid escalating political arguments and keep the forum focused on figure skating, this thread is now closed.