After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia was suspended and has not been allowed to participate in the Olympic Games.
Russian athletes have only been allowed to participate in the Games under a neutral flag, and they also had to prove their political impartiality.
Now the restrictions are over. Russia is welcomed back into Olympic competition.
Sweden's Minister of Sports Jakob Forssmed (KD) is furious with the decision.
"A regrettable decision that normalizes Russia's war of aggression. Russian sports are also generally closely connected to the Russian state apparatus. The timing could hardly be worse when the decision is made against the immediate backdrop of Russian attacks on civilian targets. Ukrainian athletes and coaches are among the victims of such Russian attacks," he says in a written comment to TT.
“No boycott”
SOK regrets the decision.
"We clearly think it's wrong, it's a very sad and unfortunate decision. Nothing has changed that would put this issue in a different position," says SOK chairman Hans von Uthmann.
Sweden will continue to have its say on the issue, but it does not look like a boycott will happen.
We must be humble because there is a different opinion than ours among the 206 Olympic committees.
von Uthmann does not seem surprised that the decision is coming at this time.
The qualifying competitions for the Summer Olympics begin this fall, it's "just in time," he says.
International federations may still object.
The decision has been made as far as the IOC is concerned. Now it is up to the international federations to make a decision, they can still say no, says von Uthmann.
Joy in Russia
The IOC has not yet decided whether Russia's flag, national anthem and colours will be allowed to be used at the Olympics. Russian athletes who are allowed to compete again in international competitions must also comply with current anti-doping rules.
The decision is welcomed in Russia.
"The IOC is sending a clear signal, the Olympic movement must be kept free from politics," Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev told Russian Telegram.
Belarus was also banned from international competition following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Belarus was welcomed back into the Olympics in early May of this year.
