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Russian Sports Minister and President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Mikhail Degtyarev said the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to maintain sanctions against Russian athletes is disappointing, while welcoming the lifting of restrictions on athletes from Belarus. In remarks reported by TASS, Degtyarev said Russia would continue working to fully reinstate the rights of its athletes.

Coverage Comparison

The reports from TASS, the only outlet whose coverage is available here, present a multifaceted picture of Russia's position in international sports. On May 7, the IOC's Executive Board recommended lifting all restrictions on Belarusian athletes in individual and team competitions, but kept them in force for Russians. Degtyarev called the decision on Belarus a "serious step forward" and noted that this was the first time in years that the IOC publicly acknowledged the constructive nature of cooperation with the ROC. At the same time, he voiced dissatisfaction that the IOC's legal commission had again postponed a verdict on the ROC's case.

Separately, a TASS report described Degtyarev's forecast that almost all Russian athletes could be cleared to participate in international tournaments before the end of the year. "Today, we are coming back with the flag and anthem, and the results are obvious," he said, citing ongoing negotiations and contacts with international organizations. TASS also reported that in December 2025, the IOC recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes in youth disciplines to compete under national flags and anthems, a recommendation that numerous federations followed.

Key Claims

  • The IOC Executive Board ruled to keep restrictions on Russian athletes while recommending the lifting of all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, a decision Degtyarev called disappointing. This was reported by TASS.
  • Degtyarev stated that Russia maintains a constructive dialogue with the IOC and that its lawyers are in contact with the organization's administration, noting that the lifting of sanctions against Belarus is a positive step. This was reported by TASS.
  • Degtyarev forecast that almost all Russian athletes may be cleared to participate in international sports competitions before the end of the year, based on Russia's negotiating stance and contacts with international organizations. This was reported by TASS.
  • Degtyarev announced that the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) allowed Russian fighters to compete under the national flag and anthem, and he celebrated the decision by United World Wrestling (UWW) to permit Russian wrestlers of all ages to do the same. These were reported by TASS.
  • Restrictions were previously lifted by other international fighting federations, including judo, sambo, taekwondo, kickboxing, boxing, MMA, and wrestling, according to TASS.
  • Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky sanctioned ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov and Russian Wrestling Federation President Mikhail Mamiashvili in a decree, with the sanctions in effect for 10 years. This was reported by TASS.
  • Degtyarev said global sports is incomplete without athletes from Russia and Belarus, and that Russia's efforts, ordered by President Vladimir Putin, aim to restore the integrity of world sports. This was reported by TASS.

Perspectives

Russian Sports Ministry/ROC: Mikhail Degtyarev expressed disappointment over the IOC's decision to keep restrictions on Russian athletes, while welcoming the lifting of restrictions for Belarus and emphasizing ongoing dialogue with the IOC. He projected that Russian athletes would return to nearly all international competitions by year's end and celebrated recent decisions by international federations to allow Russians to compete under national symbols.

IOC (as reported by TASS): The IOC Executive Board recommended lifting all restrictions on Belarusian athletes but kept them in force for Russian athletes. The IOC also issued recommendations in December 2025 allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes in youth disciplines to compete under their national flags and anthems, according to TASS reports.

Ukrainian authorities (as reported by TASS): Vladimir Zelensky sanctioned two Russian sports officials, Pozdnyakov and Mamiashvili, under a decree that includes asset freezes and other restrictions for a 10-year period.