The International Olympic Committee eased restrictions on Russian athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, “provisionally” lifting the suspension of its athletes.

In a press release, the IOC’s Executive Board said the ban on its flag, anthem, colors, and national identification remains in place, and a decision on that will come “at an appropriate time.” The board justified the IOC’s lifting of its October 2023 ban on Russian athletes on the grounds that the Russian Olympic Committee no longer operates in the four annexed oblasts in Ukraine, which the IOC says belong to the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee.