On Thursday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that athletes from Belarus should be allowed to compete under their national identity, without the need for neutral status. This recommendation does not apply to Russian athletes, indicating a cautious approach towards Russia's potential return to Olympic events amid its ongoing war in Ukraine. The IOC expressed concern over a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) investigation into Russian anti-doping official Veronika Loginova, which remains a barrier to Russia's full re-integration into Olympic sports. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Belarusian athletes competed as neutrals, securing five medals, including a gold in trampoline by Ivan Litvinovich. The IOC emphasized that athletes' participation should not be restricted due to their governments' actions, including involvement in conflicts. Additionally, some sports organizations have already reinstated athletes from Belarus and Russia, with World Aquatics lifting restrictions last month. The IOC's executive board highlighted that the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics starts this summer, signaling further developments in this complex situation.