Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the IOC's decision to provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and recommend lifting restrictions on Russian athletes as a "great achievement" after difficult negotiations.
The IOC has lifted restrictions on Russian athletes, reinstating the Russian Olympic Committee and removing eligibility checks for neutral status. This decision is expected to accelerate their full return to international competitions, with many federations already allowing Russian athletes to compete under their flag.
Information circulating online about Fan ID being mandatory for all Russian sports leagues from June 1st is incorrect. The Fan ID (passport for fans) is currently only required for football matches in the MIR RPL and the Russian Cup final, with potential expansion to the Super Cup in 2025. Other sports like hockey (KHL) and basketball are not affected.
Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev stated that global sports are incomplete without Russian and Belarusian athletes. He announced that the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) now allows Russian fighters to compete with their national flag and anthem.
Russian Sports Minister and President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev noted that "our anthem is already being played at many tournaments, and our national flag is present"
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has issued a decree imposing 10-year sanctions on Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov and Russian Wrestling Federation President Mikhail Mamiashvili.
Hungary’s incoming PM Péter Magyar meets EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels to unlock frozen EU funds, bypassing traditional waiting periods. Meanwhile, European Parliament debates Russia’s quiet return to global sports and cultural events amid the Ukraine war. A new scientific assessment reveals nearly all of Europe experienced above-average temperatures last year, with scientists warning an El Niño could intensify extremes.
Under previous regulations, RPL clubs were allowed to roster 13 foreign players and field eight legionnaires on the pitch during matches
The Russian Sports Ministry has drafted new rules to limit foreign players in the Russian Premier League, proposing a reduction to 12 rostered and 7 active players starting in the 2026/2027 season.
