Ukraine appeals IOC easing of Russian athlete rules

Ukraine's National Olympic Committee said Wednesday that it had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the International Olympic Committee's decision to ease restrictions on Russian athletes.

The Ukrainian committee said it filed the appeal on July 28, 2026, asking CAS to annul the IOC decision. It argued that the move contradicted the Olympic Charter, was premature and failed to take account of the circumstances behind Russia's suspension.

The IOC lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee earlier this month and scrapped several restrictions on Russian athletes that had been introduced after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The decision paved the way for Russian athletes to compete in team events and qualifying competitions for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The IOC did not say whether it would lift the ban on Russia's flag and anthem.

Neither the IOC nor Russia immediately commented on the appeal.

Several sporting bodies have approved the return of Russian athletes in recent months. World Gymnastics lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes in May, and the European Fencing Federation reinstated Russia in June. On Monday, Russian Pavel Graudyn won gold at the World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong, the first such title since Russia was allowed to compete again under its own flag in fencing.