In two years, the whole world will have its eyes fixed on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. For now, there are no real clouds on the horizon, but a few questions remain. One of them is: will Russia participate? It only sent 15 representatives to the Paris 2024 Olympics, under neutral status. Qualifications for 2028 have begun in several sports, and the barriers are gradually being removed by the international federations.
Re-establishing communication with the IOC
Russia welcomed Kirsty Coventry's election in 2025 with a degree of relief: fresh blood at the helm of the IOC and a hope for greater openness. The new leader of the Olympic Movement has adopted a less firm stance than her predecessor, Thomas Bach. A dialogue is underway, repeated Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and President of the ROC, to the TASS news agency in May. We are not changing our plans. We are preparing for the qualifying tournaments for the 2028 Summer Olympics in the United States. "Russia has committed more than 30 million euros this year to preparations for the next Olympics. And Degtyarev offered a prediction: This year, our athletes will be allowed to participate in almost all international sporting competitions. »
Subsequent events proved him right. On July 7, the IOC Executive Board announced the provisional lifting of the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The recommendations regarding the conditions of participation of Russian athletes and teams, including protective measures, no longer apply. " the institution added. The IFs gradually followed suit: the International Modern Pentathlon Union, the International Table Tennis Federation, the International Handball Federation and the International Volleyball Federation all announced the return of Russian athletes.
World Athletics is standing firm on its position
Some had already taken the initiative, a sign that Russia's arguments were being heard. On June 26, the International Weightlifting Federation lifted all restrictions in all age categories. In recent months, World Taekwondo, the World Wrestling Union, and World Gymnastics had also chosen to reinstate Russian athletes under the same conditions as others, with their flag, their uniform, and, in the event of a ceremony, their anthem.
A similar approach is being taken by World Aquatics, whose president, Husain Al Musallam, expressed the desire to that swimming pools and open waters remain places where athletes from all nations can come together to compete in a spirit of peace The International Judo Federation had taken the initiative as early as last November. Russia has always been a leading nation in the world of judo, and its full return should enrich the competition at all levels while upholding the principles of fairness, inclusion, and respect. Athletes are not responsible for the decisions of governments or other national institutions, and it is our duty to protect the sport and our athletes. "The IJF commented at the time. Undeniably, the issue is divisive within the Olympic Movement. The IOC, for its part, softened its stance last December by recommending lifting restrictions in youth categories, but not in senior categories."
World Athletics stands out as an exception in this landscape. Its Council has decided to maintain the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions. This is undoubtedly a major blow for both countries, one year before the World Championships in Beijing (September 11-19, 2027) and with the Games in mind. No concrete progress towards peace negotiations has materialized. “,” laments President Sebastian Coe, and There is no doubt that the ability of Ukraine and its athletes to train and compete remains severely compromised. On May 8, World Tennis announced that its position remained unchanged regarding the suspension of the Russian and Belarusian federations. No progress is expected before the annual general meeting in October.
