07/08/26 05:55:00
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07/08 05:53 CDT Kremlin hails 'important step' as IOC eases Olympic
restrictions on Russia
Kremlin hails 'important step' as IOC eases Olympic restrictions on Russia
By The Associated Press
The Kremlin has welcomed as an "important step" the International Olympic
Committee's decision to remove many of its restrictions on Russia, a big step
closer to letting it field a full team when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games.
The IOC provisionally lifted a suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and
advised Olympic sports bodies they no longer need to be vetting its athletes
for permission to compete as neutrals.
"It is an important step toward reinstating our athletes' legitimate rights to
participate in international competitions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
told reporters Wednesday. "Work will continue through our sports authorities.
They are conducting this work constantly and consistently, this work will
continue."
Peskov added that "now, it's very important that all our athletes have the
opportunity to compete in major international events."
The IOC's guidance to reintegrate Russians in international events is not
binding for the governing bodies of individual sports.
Track and field has already said it will not follow suit and there is no sign
yet of changes which could let Russia return to major soccer events like Euro
2028 or a future World Cup.
"FIFA has been made aware of the decision taken by the IOC to provisionally
lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee," soccer's governing body
said. "FIFA will analyze the decision before deciding on next steps in
coordination with the relevant stakeholders."
FIFA last year invited Russia to send a team to the inaugural boys' Under-15
Football Festival in Azerbaijan starting Oct. 22. That came soon after the IOC
recommended allowing Russian youth teams to compete with the country's flag and
anthem.
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
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