Overview
- The IOC executive meeting Thursday in Lausanne lifted restrictions on Belarusian athletes, restoring their flag, anthem, and team entries.
- The committee said athletes should not lose access to competition because of their governments’ actions, including involvement in war.
- Belarusian competitors had been limited to neutral individual status since 2022, a rule the IOC has now withdrawn for them.
- Russia remains sidelined because its Olympic committee is still suspended over absorbing four annexed territories in 2023, and WADA has opened a new probe into Russia’s anti-doping system.
- The change could let stars such as tennis player Aryna Sabalenka appear under the Belarusian flag on the WTA Tour as federations set qualification rules for LA 2028.