The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has advised Olympic sports bodies to conclude the three-year vetting program for Russian athletes seeking neutral status. This decision comes ahead of the qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and follows a previous move allowing Belarusian athletes to compete under their full national identities. While the IOC has lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee imposed in October 2023, it has not yet authorized Russian athletes to compete under their national flag or anthem. To address global confidence concerns, the IOC mandates that returning athletes undergo multiple doping controls within recognized testing programs. Furthermore, the IOC reaffirmed its solidarity with Ukraine and stated it will continue to refuse organizing events in Russia or inviting Russian government officials to international Olympic competitions.