IOC Moves Closer to Reinstating Russia for LA28 Olympics, but Backlash May Delay Return

Support for Ukrainian athletes at Milan-Cortina Games suggests challenges with Russia's reintegration

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The International Olympic Committee appears ready to lift suspensions of Russia and Belarus, clearing the way for their athletes to return to major international competitions as early as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, the international show of support for Ukrainian skeleton slider Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from the Milan-Cortina Games for refusing to compete without a helmet featuring images of people killed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, suggests there may be challenges with reinstating Russia and Belarus.

Why it matters

The massive international outcry following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a war that will enter its fifth year two days after the closing ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Games, forced most major international sports bodies to ban all Russian athletes from competition. The IOC's plans to lift these suspensions and allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags could face significant backlash, especially if the war in Ukraine is still ongoing.

The details

IOC President Kirsty Coventry signaled a more neutral approach toward Russia without mentioning the country, saying "We are a sports organization. We understand politics and we know we don't operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments." However, the response during the Milan-Cortina Games has not been supportive of a change, with Ukraine's 46-member team receiving a huge ovation during the opening ceremony and Heraskevych receiving sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with images of killed Ukrainian athletes and coaches.

  • The war in Ukraine will enter its fifth year two days after the closing ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Games.
  • Last December, the IOC called for Russian and Belarusian youth athletes to be allowed to compete in international competitions under their national flag and as teams, paving the way for them to compete at the Youth Olympic Games this summer in Senegal.

The players

Kirsty Coventry

IOC President who signaled a more neutral approach toward Russia without mentioning the country.

Vladyslav Heraskevych

Ukrainian skeleton slider who was disqualified from the Milan-Cortina Games for refusing to compete without a helmet featuring images of people killed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Jules Boykoff

Professor of politics and government at Pacific University who believes allowing Russia back in would be tough given the backdrop of support for Ukraine.

Andrew Bertoli

Assistant professor at IE University in Segovia, Spain, and author of 'Beyond the Stadium. How Sports Change the World' who doubts Russia or Belarus will compete in the LA28 Olympics if the war in Ukraine is ongoing.

Mark Dyreson

Director of reach and educational programs for the Penn State Center for the Study of Sports in Society who believes the IOC will make a shift to reinstate Russia, even if there's no resolution or peace to the war.

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What they’re saying

“We are a sports organization. We understand politics and we know we don't operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport. That means keeping sport a neutral ground. A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments.”

— Kirsty Coventry, IOC President (latimes.com)

“The fact that it seems like a lot of people were actually supportive of the Ukrainian athlete wearing the helmet really speaks to the support that Ukraine still has around the world.”

— Andrew Bertoli, Assistant Professor, IE University (latimes.com)

“With that as a backdrop, to allow Russia back in would be tough. Even to continue those conversations right now in Milan would be tough. But Los Angeles could be a totally different story.”

— Jules Boykoff, Professor of Politics and Government, Pacific University (latimes.com)

“I really doubt it. I imagine the IOC would welcome it, but I think that the international public opinion is too much against it, and it would be highly controversial if Russia was back at the Olympics.”

— Andrew Bertoli, Assistant Professor, IE University (latimes.com)

“I would not be surprised to see the Russians back for 2028 in L.A. Between then and now, it's looking like the IOC is going to make a shift, even if there's no resolution or peace to the war.”

— Mark Dyreson, Director of Reach and Educational Programs, Penn State Center for the Study of Sports in Society (latimes.com)

What’s next

The IOC would need to lift its suspension of Russia's national Olympic committee, which was imposed in 2023 not only because of the invasion but because Russia absorbed the sports organizations in occupied areas of Ukraine. Then the governing federations for each individual Olympic sport would need to vote to end their bans. If some federations kept sanctions in place, it could lead to a fractured Olympics, with Russians and Belarusians competing in some sports but not others.

The takeaway

The international backlash and show of support for Ukrainian athletes at the Milan-Cortina Games suggests the IOC may face significant challenges in reinstating Russia and Belarus for the LA28 Olympics, especially if the war in Ukraine is still ongoing. The IOC's goal of keeping sports 'neutral' could clash with the strong global sentiment against Russia's actions, making their reintegration a complex and controversial process.