Sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev did not express surprise at the International Olympic Committee’s decision to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee. He shared his perspective in an interview with Sports Express.
“It would have felt odd if they let us off the hook. We have already been moved away, and if they push us again, the result would be the same. Those who are suspended will be removed, and it is essential to keep organizing events domestically, while paying less attention to external pressures because real power lies elsewhere. We must continue hosting competitions and backing sports as much as possible,” he stated.
He noted that the pattern seen in UEFA decisions affecting young athletes has left little room for optimism. In light of that, his view is to avoid isolating the country and to keep developing sport and international contests by focusing on partners who remain aligned with them, effectively choosing to live their own sporting life. He affirmed that there is no alternative path forward that would be convincing to him.
According to Guberniev, nothing surprising occurred: the trend of removal attempts would persist. The priority remains to hold competitions, make official decisions, and manage suspensions without overreacting or losing focus on sport’s broader goals.
On October 12, the IOC announced the suspension of the PRC pending further notice. Reports from TASS explained that the IOC argued that incorporating representations from the DPR, LPR, and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions into the PRC would contravene the Olympic Charter.
Earlier, at the end of February 2022, the IOC issued guidance advising international sports federations to prohibit participation by domestic and Belarusian athletes due to political circumstances. This directive added another layer of tension to how athletes and teams could compete globally.
During an Executive Committee meeting on March 28, there was a proposal to grant Russians neutral status so long as athletes did not actively support military actions. The plan also stated that athletes affiliated with law enforcement agencies and armed forces would be barred from competition.
There is an ongoing expectation that the ROC will face further suspension measures by the IOC. The evolving policy landscape continues to shape decisions about participation, neutrality, and the ability of athletes to compete on the world stage while political dynamics unfold.