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IOC ending neutral status vetting for Russian athletes ahead of 2028 LA Olympics
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
The IOC advised Olympic sports bodies on Tuesday to end a three-year program vetting Russians for neutral status ahead of qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.The move was expected since the International Olympic Committee advised two months ago that athletes from Belarus, Russia's...
Key takeaway Just 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics as approved neutrals, and combined to win five medals.
Why this matters in The Waco
The IOC's decision to end neutral status vetting for Russian athletes has implications for local Olympic hopefuls in Waco , who will soon face increased competition from Russian and Belarusian athletes in qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With the Russian team expected to regain its former strength, having had over 300 athletes at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, local athletes will need to be at the top of their game to secure spots on the US team. The IOC's easing of entry requirements for Russian athletes also raises questions about the potential impact on local sports programs and events, which may see an influx of international competitors. As the Olympic community in Waco looks to the 2028 Games, they will be watching closely to see how this decision affects the local athletic landscape and the opportunities available to area athletes.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The IOC advised Olympic sports bodies on Tuesday to end a three-year program vetting Russians for neutral status ahead of qualifying events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.The move was expected since the International Olympic Committee advised two months ago that athletes from Belarus, Russia's...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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