MILAN — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is signaling a potential shift in policy, contemplating the reinstatement of athletes from Russia and Belarus into international competitions, potentially as early as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, recent events at the Milan-Cortina Games suggest this move may encounter significant resistance. The situation highlights the complex intersection of sports and global politics, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Potential Return of Russian and Belarusian Athletes
IOC President Kirsty Coventry recently addressed the IOC Congress in Milan, articulating a vision for a more politically neutral approach to sport. While refraining from directly mentioning Russia, her statements indicated a desire to prioritize the athletic arena as a space free from governmental influence. When questioned about a timeline for welcoming back Russian athletes, Coventry offered no specific date, stating, “There’s no timeline.” This ambiguity fuels speculation about the IOC’s intentions and the challenges involved in navigating the current geopolitical landscape.
The initial wave of bans on Russian athletes followed widespread international condemnation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a conflict poised to enter its fifth year shortly after the conclusion of the Milan-Cortina Games. These suspensions were implemented by numerous international sports federations. While the IOC has permitted Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate as neutral individuals – excluding team participation and national representation – the underlying conditions that prompted the bans remain unchanged. Reports from organizations like the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimate combined casualties exceeding 1.8 million, marking the most devastating European conflict since World War II.
Athlete Activism and the Olympic Charter
The potential policy change faced immediate pushback during the Milan-Cortina Games, most notably with the case of Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych. He was disqualified for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with images honoring Ukrainian citizens killed during the war. This act of remembrance was deemed a violation of the IOC’s political speech restrictions, specifically Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits political, religious, or racial propaganda within Olympic venues.
Heraskevych’s disqualification sparked an outpouring of international support, with Ukrainian and Latvian bobsled teams demonstrating solidarity by raising their helmets in tribute after their competitions. Despite appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the decision to disqualify Heraskevych was upheld. Jules Boykoff, a professor at Pacific University, characterized the IOC’s approach as a “trial balloon” to gauge public reaction, suggesting that higher-ups within the organization are cautiously testing the waters for a potential policy shift.
Navigating a Complex Geopolitical Landscape
The IOC’s consideration of lifting sanctions in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics presents a multifaceted challenge. Reinstatement would require lifting the suspension of Russia’s national Olympic committee, imposed in 2023 due to the invasion and Russia’s absorption of sports organizations in occupied Ukrainian territories. Furthermore, individual sports federations would need to vote to end their respective bans, potentially leading to a fragmented Games if some federations maintain their restrictions.
Andrew Bertoli, an assistant professor at IE University, emphasized the continued global support for Ukraine, stating, “The fact that it seems like a lot of people were actually supportive of the Ukrainian athlete wearing the helmet really speaks to the support that Ukraine still has around the world.” Experts like Mark Dyreson, director of reach and educational programs at Penn State, predict a shift in the IOC’s stance, even without a resolution to the conflict. However, others, like Bertoli, remain skeptical, believing that ongoing hostilities will likely preclude Russia and Belarus from participating in the 2028 Games due to strong international opposition.
