The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, marking a significant step towards Russia’s reintegration into the Olympic fold before the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The IOC said on Tuesday that its executive board had lifted the suspension but had not decided yet on whether Russia would be allowed to display its flag or colours or have its anthem played at the Summer Games.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) was suspended in October that year for recognising regional Olympic councils in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.

It insisted it would continue supporting Ukraine.

“We don’t condone any wars, including this one. We will continue to support Ukraine like we have since this started. But I don’t believe athletes should pay the price,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said at a news conference.

“We don’t want to hold athletes accountable for the actions of their government.”

“We made it clear that all athletes had the possibility to compete at the Olympic Games. This is what this decision speaks to. It allows Russian athletes to take part in sports competitions. We thought it was really important for athletes to have that possibility,” Coventry said.

She added that the IOC would continue to closely monitor Russia.

There was no immediate reaction from Ukraine.

Russian Sport Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said the IOC’s decision should clear the way for Russian athletes to make a full return to the international sporting stage.

“Our country’s return to the Olympic family is a green light for international federations to reinstate all our athletes,” Degtyarev said.

Russian athletes competed as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

-Al Jazeera/Reuters