IOC lifts restrictions on athletes from Belarus

Athletes from Belarus have been reinstated by the International Olympic Committee Executive board after they were banned from competing under the country's flag following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The decision, which was announced by the IOC on Thursday, does not pertain to athletes from Russia.

Belarus was suspended by the IOC from sending athletes into international competitions after the country was used as a staging ground for Russian troops before the war against Ukraine began.

"(The IOC) must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world," the organization said in a statement Thursday. "... 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."

Belarus was not allowed to have an official Olympic contingent at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

In addition to Olympic competitions, Belarus athletes had been forced to participate as individual neutral athletes at various other international competitions.

The IOC also is expected to come to a decision soon on either ending or extending Russia's suspension.

"Belarus is in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter," the IOC said. "Whilst (Russia) has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension, it remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues to review the matter."

--Field Level Media