IOC Suspends Russian Olympic Committee For ‘Breach Of Charter’

Lausanne: The International Olympic Council’s (IOC) Executive Board announced on Thursday the immediate suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) for a “charter breach.” However, Russian athletes can still compete as independent participants in international events, including the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024.

The suspension of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Russia came about because they incorporated regional sports organizations under the authority of the NOC of Ukraine, specifically in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. This decision was considered a violation of the Olympic Charter and the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine, as recognized by the IOC.

As a result of the suspension, the Russian Olympic Committee can no longer function as a National Olympic Committee, as defined by the Olympic Charter, and will not receive any funding from the Olympic Movement. The IOC stated that decisions regarding the participation of athletes with Russian passports in the 2024 Olympics in Paris and the Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026 will be made at a later time.

In addition to this development, the IOC’s Executive Board is meeting on October 12 and 13 to discuss proposals for the 141st Session of the IOC, which is scheduled to take place from October 15-17.

Regarding the Session, it was confirmed that members of the Canadian NOC will attend, despite a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. Tricia Smith is among the known attendees, and another member’s presence was mentioned as well.