A series of positive decisions by international organizations brought Russia closer to a full return to the Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles. Back in July, the IOC canceled recommendations that restricted Russian athletes from international competitions. Now they can qualify without the previous tests for neutral status.
13 Russians are already competing in the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar under the country's flag. Another significant decision was the acceptance of Russian hockey teams for the World Championship in 2027. On October 30, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation's ban, finding the arguments about security threats insufficient.
In the past, similar decisions were made regarding Russian representatives of skiing and surfing. At the same time, the procedures in athletics and biathlon continue. The courts are gradually reducing the number of restrictions starting in 2022.
However, returning to a team sport is much more difficult than returning to an individual sport. Nevertheless, the legal and organizational preconditions for repatriation have already been created.