IOC lifts ban on Belarus, ban on Russia lifted July 2026

[Karen-W]

This just came across my X news feed.

https://x.com/i/status/2052378770690941290

The IOC is recommending that Belarus be restored to competition, including fielding teams for team sports, and the lifting of all protective measures.

With respect to Russia, quoting from the press release:

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.

I guess this is better than nothing with regard to the possible scenario that could have come into of this week's IOC Executive Board meeting.

 

[Debbie S]

It sounds like the IOC is now actually looking to ban Russia due to doping, which they should have done years ago (not just banning the flag and allowing the athletes). Fine with me.

 

[Karen-W]

It sounds like the IOC is now actually looking to ban Russia due to doping, which they should have done years ago (not just banning the flag and allowing the athletes). Fine with me.

Well, I'm not sure they can. I haven't really looked into the WADA non-compliance issue too deeply to be certain if WADA has strong standing with their current non-compliance ruling. And we know that CAS has let Russia slide on doping issues time and time again.

This appears to be related to an investigative article from last month by The Insider which goes far beyond the state-sponsored doping issues we're familiar with. They actively link individuals connected to Russian state security structures, including the FSB, directly to the anti-doping system currently. The article claims that the same networks responsible for poisoning dissidents are intertwined with the Russian sports apparatus.

Olympic deception: Russia’s doping program is run by the same FSB team that poisoned Navalny

FSB colonel Dmitry Kovalev has traveled the world to support Team Russia, sitting with his colleagues in the stands at hockey matches in South Korea and…

theins.press

I only happened across the article/link a little while ago and haven't read it fully. It doesn't seem to have picked up any traction in the mainstream press and only a little bit of coverage on social media.

 

[SakuraHere]

The war excuse after Israel in Gaza and USA in Iran doesn't work anymore with Russia. So they decided to ban it because the current RUSADA boss is married to FSB guy.
Pathetic losers.

 

[SakuraHere]

Why don't they vote like Paralympic did? It's a legitimate question. They consider themselves democracy, so vote. They don't because they know they will lose badly and the Russian athletes will get medals that now someone else gets. That's the "reason".

 

[Karen-W]

Why don't they vote like Paralympic did? It's a legitimate question. They consider themselves democracy, so vote. They don't because they know they will lose badly and the Russian athletes will get medals that now someone else gets. That's the "reason".

Troll needs to read the entire thread before spam-posting crap. The IPC made their decision before the investigative report from The Insider was published on April 19. That is the obvious reason why the IPC and IOC are currently on different pages regarding the potential return of the master nation of state-sponsored doping.

 

[MacMadame]

Why don't they vote like Paralympic did? It's a legitimate question. They consider themselves democracy, so vote. They don't because they know they will lose badly and the Russian athletes will get medals that now someone else gets. That's the "reason".

The IOC does not consider itself to be a democracy. The idea is laughable.

 

[SakuraHere]

The IOC does not consider itself to be a democracy. The idea is laughable.

So IPC is a democracy, that's why they voted. But IOC is not a democracy, so they don't vote. Where does it come from I wonder. It makes no sense. The EB of IOC didn't issue any decision, they say they are thinking. Without the juridical decision there's simply nothing to go to CAS. They can think forever.

 

[SakuraHere]

Nothing change in relationship between Russia and Belarus. In other words Belarus was unbanned under the same circumstances as it was banned. IOC made fools of themselves, that's fine. They should be logical and fair. In other words apply the same approach to Russia- unban under the same circumstances as it was banned. They refuse like blackmailers- give us your cheap gas and oil for free or one penny or we will find any reason to keep status quo.

 

[cholla]

Nothing change in relationship between Russia and Belarus. In other words Belarus was unbanned under the same circumstances as it was banned. IOC made fools of themselves, that's fine. They should be logical and fair. In other words apply the same approach to Russia- unban under the same circumstances as it was banned. They refuse like blackmailers- give us your cheap gas and oil for free or one penny or we will find any reason to keep status quo.

Don't you have some cherry trees to prune or something? Taking some fresh air would do you good

 

[SakuraHere]

Don't you have some cherry trees to prune or something? Taking some fresh air would do you good

Who is talking. Sakura was blown away long time ago. This weekend is more about pink-red carnations. And why would anyone want to cut off the beauty. Only IOC idiots, and their supporters, who cut this sport with banning Russian skaters, one of the most beautiful skaters in the history of this sport.

 

[cholla]

And why would anyone want to cut off the beauty.

Gardeners who know cherry trees have to be trimmed every autum to give cherries.

Only IOC idiots, and their supporters, who cut this sport with banning Russian skaters, one of the most beautiful skaters in the history of this sport.

Yes, IOC complies to my every whim, I'm responsible for the ban. I'm so powerful I don't need batteries to play, I'm unstoppable, I'll put my armour on and all Poor beautiful skaters doped up to their eyeballs. What will sport become without these cheaters? Clean maybe! O the horror, clean athletes

OK, end if the troll feeding.

 

[SakuraHere]

Gardeners who know cherry trees have to be trimmed every autum to give cherries.

It's spring now.

What will sport become without these cheaters? Clean maybe! O the horror, clean athletes

No. There won't be any clean sport as long as WADA exists with its different approach depending entirely on politics. And with its TUE for light meth and alike.
Cheating is applying double standards. For example banning Russia while not banning Israel and USA. Or unbanning Belarus and keep banning Russia. I am all for clean sport and equal standards for everyone. That's the difference between us.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Worlds gymnastics has lifted their ban on both now I’ve noticed.

 

[SakuraHere]

ISU will be the last one. They are a rentier, not a sport organisation.

 

[Karen-W]

Worlds gymnastics has lifted their ban on both now I’ve noticed.

And this means nothing to the ISU. Other international sports feds have lifted the ban also, while others hold fast to a full ban on both Russia and Belarus.

For what it's worth, FIG has been a lot more in the pocket of Russian influence over the last four years than the ISU. They've allowed Russian & Belarusian AINs for a couple of years now and not without some questionable incidents. Seeing as the ISU has dragged its feet for 6 months now on even allowing the juniors to return, I don't believe they will care one bit what FIG has done.

 

[SakuraHere]

"Putin bought everyone" is outdated. Can you be more creative?

 

[PRlady]

All the smart, independent-minded Russians have left and what’s left there are the asskissing toadies. How’s that?

 

[Karen-W]

And this is the news as of today -

https://twitter.com/x/status/2066857059631415427

Deadlines are approaching next month for the JGP entries. The ISU hasn't released the 2026-27 JGP General Announcement document yet, so we don't know which JGPs the RUS & BLR skaters would be allowed to enter (2 entries each in Men, Women & Ice Dance; 3 entries in Pairs). If the ISU does move to allow RUS & BLR juniors back, the most likely events where they'd be assigned would be:

Aug 20-22 - Xi'An CHN
Sep 3-5 - Bangkok THA
Sep 17-19 - Ankara TUR
Sep 24-26 - Batumi GEO

With regard to the GP - the ISU included this notice in the newly revised 2026-27 GP Selection document -

As per Communication No. 2469, RUS and BLR skaters are currently not allowed to participate in any ISU Events or International Competitions and therefore may not be selected for any Grand Prix events until this Communication is revoked. Should this change the ISU Council would inform the Group accordingly.

Also, of note, the GP Selection document has reduced the # of seasons for the Comeback Skaters/Couples clause from the last 10 to the last 4, so none of the Russians who are still competing & placed in the Top 6 at Worlds from 2017-2021 are eligible for the GP unless they win a Challenger Series event.

 

[TAHbKA]

ISU: "Athletes representing Russia and Belarus will be able to compete without items of state recognition, namely national flags, national kit and national anthems. Participation will be dependent on no evidence of breaches of athletes’ neutral status, which reinforces the primacy of fair sport on the ice. "

 

[Andrea82]

Full ISU communication

https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.azurefd.net/isudamcontainer/CMS/Corporate-Site/Governance/Transparency/ISU-Communications/2804-Readmission-Neutral-Athletes-RUS-BLR---Acknowledgement-Form-1782804763-7382.pdf

Part related to eligibility conditions:

2. Eligibility assessment and conditions

2.1. Eligibility to participate as a neutral athlete is assessed individually and on the basis of evidence, without regard to nationality. A Skater or member of Athlete Support Personnel is presumed eligible unless they fall within the disqualifying criteria in Paragraph 2.2.

2.2. A Skater or member of Athlete Support Personnel is not eligible to participate as a neutral athlete where they:

(a) are in active service with the armed forces or a national security agency of Russia or Belarus;

(b) have, at any time since February 2022, taken active part in military operations in the war against Ukraine; or

(c) have, at any time since February 2022, actively and publicly supported that war.

2.3. Eligibility is determined by the ISU Council, which may delegate the assessment to an independent eligibility panel established for that purpose. The person concerned shall be given the opportunity to be heard, and a decision to withhold eligibility may be appealed in accordance with the applicable ISU Regulations.

2.4. Each Skater and member of Athlete Support Personnel shall provide the acknowledgement form required by the ISU. The ISU processes only the personal data necessary for the eligibility assessment, in accordance with applicable data protection law.

 

[Lanie]

I guess state sponsored doping and abusing of your athletes is OK! The sport was great while it lasted.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Obviously ISU changing their tune. The reason for the ban was Russia`s planning of the invasion immediately following `22 Olympics. As the war continues I don`t get the change. And, 1)we`ll be back to Russian tricks to skirt the ISU rules and 2) introduction of whatever new substances they`re using against WADA clean athletes.

 

[Firedancer]

Terrible decision. They have never really been punished for their doping program and no additional steps are being put in place now so it’s clearly fine with the ISU for it to continue. Women’s skating has been so much more enjoyable without them.

 

[flyingsit]

Well, I might be out. Last season rekindled some of my fandom that had gone dormant but with the return of the doping etc. that might be the end for me.

 

[Private Citizen]

For those in , what will the return look like?

Will Russians show up at Challengers or Senior B events?
Will any be invited to the remaining spots on the GP? (Though I guess only Petrosian and Gummenik have the minimums?)
One spot at Euros and Worlds?

Not entirely thrilled about this, but looking on the bright sides:

• technical progress in the women's event
• real competition in the men's event
• perhaps a saviour in pairs
• and/or real challengers in dance v. FB&C running away with the next four years

Still not clear on who will and won't be allowed to compete. If the war ends, do the "problematic" athletes get allowed back?

 

[victorskid]

There is a Q&A document from the ISU that accompanies this announcement:

https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.azurefd.net/isudamcontainer/CMS/Corporate-Site/Press/FAQ/Readmission-of-AIN-Q-A-Final-1782806090-7451.pdf?dm_i=731E,48TJI,10A3PM,B7LWH,1,0,0,0

 

[Belsornia]

Not that the ISU isn’t capable of making bad decisions all by itself, but the pressure the IOC appeared to be putting on hold-out governing bodies did add to the sense that some kind of return might be forthcoming. The “nothing has changed but carry on as you were” nature of this has a particularly bad taste though. Thinking of Ukrainian athletes today.

 

[Karen-W]

For those in , what will the return look like?

Will Russians show up at Challengers or Senior B events?
Will any be invited to the remaining spots on the GP? (Though I guess only Petrosian and Gummenik have the minimums?)
One spot at Euros and Worlds?

I'd bet hard cash that Russians will be a heavy presence at Challengers & other B (senior or junior) competitions, though at least the Challengers have the same basic quotas for non-host feds as other major ISU competitions. I can't imagine the ISU will allow more than 3 AIN entries per discipline at any of those events.

Only Petrosian & Gumennik have the GP total score minimums to be included on the Alternates List at this time. I presume they will both jump to the top of the Alternates List given they were both allowed to compete at the Olympics & are on the SB Top 75 list.

Yes, only 1 spot in each discipline at Euros, Jr Worlds & Worlds.

Not entirely thrilled about this, but looking on the bright sides:

• technical progress in the women's event
• real competition in the men's event
• perhaps a saviour in pairs
• and/or real challengers in dance v. FB&C running away with the next four years

I wouldn't bet on any of those except Gumennik being real competition in the men's event.

The Russian women will have a limited impact on the junior level this season since they'll only have 2 JGP entries; and at the senior level, their women seem to be falling prey to the dreaded puberty monster that takes a big bite out of their ultra-C elements by the time they're 17, so I'm not sure they'll push the technical side of women's skating any more than the Japanese & Korean juniors who've been dominating the JGP in recent seasons but who, mostly, struggle with the transition to seniors & with retaining any sort of consistency on their 3As or quads.

I suppose I need to pay more attention to Russian pairs again. I know there are some teams that have been pushing MishGal & BoiKoz the past couple seasons. It will be interesting to see if MishGal are approved for AIN status now since they were rejected for Milano-Cortina. I'm not sure they or any other skaters who were part of the 2022 Russian Olympic team & who wound up attending some of Putin's early war rallies or participated in some of the Navka-funded shows are going to be approved for AIN status now, but we'll see.

I don't think StepBuk are going to be a real challenger to FBCiz - they were also rejected for 2026 Olympic AIN status. Russian ice dance seems, in general, to be as chaotic and tumultuous as ever.

Still not clear on who will and won't be allowed to compete. If the war ends, do the "problematic" athletes get allowed back?

I'd guess once the war ends, if it ends, then the restrictions would be lifted and the RFSF would be allowed to nominate whomever they want for competitions.

For me, the bright sides include:

• - no Russian or Belarusian officials & judges this season - this will help limit their backroom politicking & jaw-jabbering that led to the rise of the flawed Russian women from 2014-2022.
• - no competitions in Russia or Belarus for the foreseeable future
• - even though, technically, they're eligible to compete as a team in events like WTT, the practical reality is they won't qualify since they don't have enough GP or JGP entrants to earn the points to overtake the countries with more entrants (watch me have to eat these words since Italy is decimated in pairs & ice dance right now, Korea has no dance or pairs teams at this time, & France is weak in pairs & women - USA, Georgia, Japan & Canada are all likely to qualify, but the last two team spots are wide open).

 

[Badams]

This worked so well the first 500 times they tried it, what could possibly go wrong?