Olympics Officials Signal Sanctions on Russia in Sports May End

Olympics officials signaled a potential easing of sanctions on Russia, imposed due to state-sponsored doping and the invasion of Ukraine, at an International Olympic Committee meeting in Milan this week. While Russia has faced suspensions and bans from various sporting events, the IOC emphasized the importance of keeping sport neutral. FIFA's president also suggested lifting the ban on Russian and Belarusian teams, a statement welcomed by the Kremlin. However, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions unacceptable while the war continues. Some sporting bodies, like judo and taekwondo, have already lifted bans on Russia, allowing athletes to compete under their flag.

Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories