The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted amendments to…
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted amendments to the Olympic Charter regarding political neutrality.
Consensus
- The IOC updated the Olympic Charter to emphasize political neutrality in sports
- The changes were adopted at an IOC session in Lausanne in June 2024
- The updated Charter requires all Olympic movement organizations to maintain political neutrality at all times
- The IOC committed to ensuring sports remain independent from state, cultural, social, and economic pressures
- Russian and Belarusian athletes were previously barred from participating with national symbols during the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games
- The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in October 2023 due to its inclusion of organizations from territories under Ukraine's jurisdiction
- Belarusian athletes were allowed to return to international competitions with national symbols in May 2026
Points of divergence
- The IOC allowed Russian and Belarusian junior athletes to compete without restrictions, while adult Russian athletes remain restricted — fontanka
- The IOC recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian junior athletes to compete with national symbols in December 2025 — kommersant
Coverage (2 sources)
- IOC Calls for Removing Political Pressure from Global Sport — Фонтанка
- IOC accepts amendments to the Olympic Charter regarding political neutrality — Коммерсантъ