International Olympic Committee lifts restrictions on Belarus athletes

Yahoo Sports1h ago10 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

The International Olympic Committee has lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete in international events, including qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Key points

IOC lifted restrictions on Belarusian athletes
Belarusian athletes can compete in international competitions
Includes qualifiers for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
Restrictions were imposed due to Belarus's support of Russia
Athletes can compete under their own flag and anthem

Mentioned in this story

International Olympic CommitteeBelarus

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, clearing the way for their return to international competitions, including at qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, it said in a statement.

The IOC had recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials be banned from events since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus was used as a staging ground for the Russian invasion.

"The IOC Executive Board no longer recommends any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by International Federations and international sports event organisers," the Olympic body said.

Athletes from Belarus can now freely compete under their own flag and anthem, including in team sports. They can also take part in all qualifying events starting later this year for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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Q&A

What led to the restrictions on Belarusian athletes by the IOC?

The IOC imposed restrictions on Belarusian athletes in 2022 due to Belarus's role in supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

When can Belarusian athletes start competing again?

Belarusian athletes can begin competing again in international events, including qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, starting later this year.

What does the IOC's decision mean for Belarusian athletes?

The IOC's decision allows Belarusian athletes to compete freely under their own flag and anthem in all international competitions.

Are there any remaining restrictions on Belarusian teams in international sports?

No, the IOC no longer recommends any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian teams in competitions governed by international federations.