IOC Lifts Restrictions On Belarus Athletes Despite Ongoing Ukraine War

On May 7, the International Olympic Committee Executive Board announced that it “no longer recommend[ed] any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by International Federations” as well as international sporting events. The organization added that it lifted restrictions on Belarus and Belarusian athletes, stating that “athletes’ participation in international competition[s] should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict.” This decision means that Belarusian athletes are now cleared to compete in forthcoming Olympic sporting events, such as the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. While these limitations have been lifted on Belarusian athletes, the IOC stated in its announcement that restrictions on the Russian Federation and its sportsmen and women would remain in effect.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin requested Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s assistance with the war. Since February 2022, the Belarusian government has allowed the Russian Federation to transport troops and equipment into the country. During the early stages of the war, Russia also launched missiles from Belarusian territory into Ukraine. Additionally, Russian troops stayed in Belarusian barracks. But as the war has progressed, Russia has scaled back its involvement in Belarus. Lukashenka has also denied Putin’s request to send Belarusian soldiers to fight in Ukraine, although he has still continued to support Putin.

In response to Russia launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, various international organizations imposed penalties on the Russian Federation. For example, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe and suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council. As for the sports community, FIFA and UEFA banned Russian soccer clubs and national teams from competing in international competitions. Several other sports organizations also banned Russian athletes, including archery, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, skating, skiing, and volleyball. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee imposed restrictions on Russian athletes.

Given the Belarusian involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine, various sports organizations opted to penalize Belarus as well. Like Russia, the IOC and IPC placed restrictions on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics and Paralympics. Initially, Russian and Belarusian athletes were unable to participate in the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games due to the war in Ukraine. The IOC also barred Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from future games.

But as the war in Ukraine continues, various organizations have decided to ease their restrictions on Russia and Belarus. Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the IOC and IPC stated that Russian and Belarusian sportsmen and women could compete in their respective competitions, although as neutral athletes. This meant that these Russian and Belarusian sportsmen and women could not display flags, emblems, or colors representing Russia and Belarus while participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Then, in September 2025, the IPC announced that it would lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. In response, 16 countries across North America, Europe, and Oceania refused to participate in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. Despite the boycott, Russian and Belarusian athletes still fully participated in the competition in Italy.

The IPC is not the only sports organization that has opted to ease restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Following the IPC’s September 2025 announcement to fully reinstate Russian and Belarusian athletes in Paralympic competitions, the International Judo Federation, the International Sambo Federation, and European Gymnastics all removed their respective bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes in November and December 2025.

Now that the IOC has opted to join these other sports organizations by stating it no longer recommends restrictions on Belarusian athletes, it remains to be seen how elected officials and political organizations will respond to this decision, given the backlash the IPC received at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games earlier this year. With the qualification period for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games beginning this summer, Belarusian athletes will now be eligible to compete for spots at one of the world’s largest sporting events. Observers of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and sports enthusiasts will be curious to see what unfolds from the IOC’s decision, and how it might impact other global sports organizations and competitions.