Olympic Committee recommends return of Russians and Belarusians to international youth competitions

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in international competitions at the youth level.

Source: IOC press service

Details: The recommendation was adopted on Thursday 11 December during an IOC summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. The summit supported the IOC Executive Board's recommendation that young athletes from Russia and Belarus should no longer be restricted in their access to international competitions in either individual or team sports.

In practice, the decision on admission will depend on the regulations of the international federation for each individual sport. The IOC itself plans to implement its recommendation at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

The IOC justified its decision by saying that young athletes should not be held accountable for the actions of their governments. However, athletes who act against the peace mission of the Olympic Movement may be suspended.

The IOC also stated that international federations should continue to refrain from organising or supporting international sporting events on the territory of Russia. This recommendation, however, no longer applies to Belarus.

Background: Earlier, Russia filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne against the decision to suspend Russian biathletes from international competitions.

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