The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Thursday that it has lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, effective immediately. The decision allows Belarusian athletes to compete freely under their own flag and anthem in international events, including qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The IOC had previously recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from events since 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the IOC has now determined that Belarusian athletes can participate without restrictions, while Russian athletes remain subject to sanctions.

The decision does not apply to Russian athletes, with the IOC citing ongoing concerns over Russia's anti-doping system and its recognition of occupied Ukrainian territories. The World Athletics governing body has also stated that its sanctions against Belarusian athletes will remain in place until there is tangible movement towards peace negotiations.

The IOC's decision is seen as a significant step towards easing sanctions on athletes from countries involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated that the organization wants all athletes to be able to participate and that the decision shows a commitment to this goal.

The IOC will continue to review the situation regarding Russian athletes, with President Coventry stating that there is no specific timeline for a potential decision on their unrestricted return to international sport. The court will resume discussions on the matter in the coming months.