---
title: "IOC lifts ban on ROC: Russian athletes return to major sports"
description: "The IOC has officially lifted the ban on the ROC and cancelled restrictions for Russian athletes! 🏅 Federations now decide on admission themselves, and Russia can compete under its own flag. However, control over compliance with the rules remains strict. #Olympics #Sports #IOC"
date: 2026-07-07T15:28:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ioc-lifts-ban-on-roc-russian-athletes-return-to-major-sports
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# IOC lifts ban on ROC: Russian athletes return to major sports

![Olympic flag with five interlocking rings against a blue sky, symbolizing the return of Russian athletes after IOC lifted the ban on ROC](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/07/mok-snyal-diskvalifikaciyu-s-okr-rossijskie-sportsmeny-vernyayutsya-v-bolshoy-sport/mok-snyal-diskvalifikaciyu-s-okr-rossijskie-sportsmeny-vernyayutsya-v-bolshoy-sport-1.webp)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken an unprecedented step by completely revoking its previous recommendations that limited the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions. Simultaneously, the organization's Executive Board officially lifted the disqualification of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), which had been in effect since October 2023.

The decision, reported by RBC-Ukraine citing official IOC sources, fundamentally changes the rules of the game. Henceforth, general protective barriers and recommendations regarding athletes from the Russian Federation have been cancelled. Now, the fate of admitting Russians to international starts is decided by each individual sports federation independently and on any terms.

### Return of national symbolism

This step opens new horizons for Russian athletes. Athletes are given the right to compete under their national symbolism again, and the country can host international tournaments, subject to the consent of the relevant federations. The organizing committee justified this decision with the start of the qualification selection for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, stating the need to ensure "equal access" to starts for all athletes without exception.

However, it is important to note a nuance: the decision on whether to allow Russians to use their flag, anthem, and colors directly at the Olympic Games themselves will be made by the IOC separately and "at the appropriate time".

### Legal grounds and conditions

The temporary return of the ROC's status occurred after a thorough legal analysis of its structure. The IOC Legal Affairs Committee established that the Russian side fulfilled the main requirement — it no longer includes regional sports organizations located in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and falling under the jurisdiction of the NOC of Ukraine. The Russian Federation also documented that it does not conduct and does not plan any activity there.

Despite the massive relaxation of sanctions, the IOC has reserved levers of control. The organization emphasized that the restoration of status does not mean the lifting of supervision. If the Russian Olympic Committee violates its commitments or attempts to resume activity on the territory of Ukraine, the IOC Executive Board reserves the right to promptly reinstate strict sanctions.

This step by the IOC continued the trend of returning Russia to the global sports space. Previously, it was reported that FIFA had already admitted Russia to the new World Cup.