The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended lifting all remaining restrictions on Belarusian athletes and teams competing in international sporting events.
In a statement released on Thursday, the IOC Executive Board said it no longer recommends any conditions on Belarusian athletes participating in competitions organised by International Federations and sports event organisers.
The move reverses the protective measures first introduced in February 2022 and later updated in March 2023 following the geopolitical crisis involving Russia and Belarus.
According to the IOC, the decision was taken in view of an increasingly complex global landscape and the need to preserve sport as a neutral, values-based platform.
“The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict,” the organisation said.
The decision also aligns with the “Fit for the Future” reform process launched by IOC president Kirsty Coventry in 2025, which reaffirmed athletes’ rights to compete free from political interference.
Since 2023, Belarusian athletes had been allowed to compete only as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) at several events, including the 2024 Summer Olympics and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The IOC noted that the qualification cycle for the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games is set to begin later this year, making the decision significant ahead of the new Olympic cycle.
However, the IOC clarified that the situation involving Russia remains different. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues its review.
The IOC also revealed that it had earlier proposed lifting restrictions for youth athletes from both Russia and Belarus, allowing them to compete under their national flags, anthems and team uniforms in international youth events.