- Category
- Latest news
IOC Clears Russian and Belarusian Youth Athletes for International Competition Despite Ongoing Sanctions
- Authors
![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to allow youth athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their own flags at international youth competitions. This decision was confirmed during the 14th Olympic Summit, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, on December 11.
The IOC’s recommendation applies to youth athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports, permitting their participation in both individual and team sports. This move reflects the IOC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the Olympic Movement’s neutrality and ensuring that athletes are not penalized for the actions of their governments. However, the specifics of how these changes will be implemented will depend on the regulations of each International Federation (IF) and may take time.
Every article pushes back against disinformation. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The Summit also discussed the importance of maintaining the principles of Olympism, emphasizing that while athletes have the right to compete, they also bear a responsibility to uphold the Olympic values. As such, athletes and their entourages are expected to contribute to the mission of unity and peace that the Olympic Movement promotes. Those who violate these principles could be removed from competitions by the respective sports authorities.
The IOC’s decision aligns with its strategy for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, where these guidelines will be applied. Despite this shift in policy for youth athletes, existing sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian governments remain in place, including restrictions on government officials' participation in international sports events. Additionally, the IOC’s recommendation to avoid organizing international events in Russia remains, although this no longer applies to Belarus.
Previously, Ukrainian officials have strongly criticized the International Judo Federation (IJF) for allowing Russian athletes to participate in upcoming competitions under the Russian national flag.
The decision, announced shortly before the IJF Grand Slam event in Abu Dhabi triggered an official protest from Ukraine’s foreign and sports ministries as well as its National Olympic Committee (NOC).
-7f54d6f9a1e9b10de9b3e7ee663a18d9.png)
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
