Alexander Dyukov says an IOC youth ruling could lead to most Western sanctions on Russian athletes being lifted

Russia expects decisions to be made in 2026 that will allow its athletes and teams to return to official international sports competitions, the head of the Russian Football Union (RFS), Alexander Dyukov, has said.

Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from most international competitions, including the Olympics. The IOC later allowed some to compete individually under neutral flags, including at the 2024 Paris Games and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, but national teams remain barred.

In early December, however, the IOC cleared youth athletes from both countries to compete under their national flags and anthems.

Dyukov said the ruling could prompt most sports bodies to gradually lift restrictions on all Russian competitors.

"At year's end, we saw significant progress toward returning all Russian sports to official international competitions," Dyukov said in an interview with Sport Express on Friday, noting that positive evaluations by FIFA and UEFA of the IOC's clearance give reason to expect further easing next year. "Following the IOC's lead, international football regulators are expected to make decisions allowing our teams to compete. These decisions ensure movement in one direction - toward lifting restrictions and bans for all Russian sports."

Dyukov noted that no decisions have yet been made on admitting Russian teams by FIFA or UEFA but blamed it on their busy schedules and the late IOC announcement, which left little time for "substantive" discussions before the holidays. He said the RFS plans to attend FIFA and UEFA congresses in 2026 "to discuss our return."

Moscow has accused Western nations of pressuring federations to bar its athletes for political reasons and has repeatedly criticized international sports bodies, particularly the IOC, for "politicizing" sports. Earlier this year, President Vladimir Putin said athletes should have equal access based on merit, emphasizing that "politics has no place in sport."

Despite ongoing restrictions, Russian athletes have continued to excel under neutral status. Last month, they claimed nine gold medals on the opening day of the 2025 World Sambo Championships. Figure skaters Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik also qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy after strong performances in qualifiers.

(RT.com)