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Dakar Youth Games test waters for Russia’s comeback
Russia’s anthem played at the Dakar Youth Olympics after Russian athletes won medals, offering a visible sign of the country’s gradual return to international sport. The Games are a test of how audiences and sports officials respond as the International Olympic Committee considers what access Russian athletes should have.
Thirteen Russians are competing in nine sports, including swimming, judo and skateboarding. Swimmer Serafima Fokina won gold in the 100-metre butterfly and later the 50-metre butterfly; the IOC has provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, but has yet to decide whether Russia may use its flag and anthem at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Some European federations oppose competition with Russian teams, while rules vary by sport, and a July survey found 83 per cent of young Africans who viewed Russia as influential saw that influence positively.
In short
- Russia’s anthem played at the Dakar Youth Olympics.
- Thirteen Russian athletes are competing across nine sports.
- The IOC has yet to decide on Russia’s status at LA 2028.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Allowing Russian athletes to compete, and restoring national symbols where appropriate, can uphold the principle that athletes should not be punished for their government’s actions. A gradual return under clear sporting rules may also treat individual competitors consistently and help international sport remain open and connected.
The case against
Restricting Russia’s participation or national symbols can be justified while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, particularly if sporting representation is seen as conferring legitimacy or the suspension’s underlying concerns remain unresolved. A cautious, sport-by-sport approach may also protect fair competition and respect federations and athletes who oppose competing alongside Russian teams.
Explained simply
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) oversees the Olympic movement and sets rules on national participation. It suspended the Russian Olympic Committee after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022; since then, some Russian athletes have competed at events under restrictions, while access has differed between sports.
The Dakar Youth Olympics bring together young athletes from around the world. Russian swimmer Serafima Fokina is among the competitors, and the IOC has provisionally lifted its suspension of Russia’s Olympic committee, but has not settled whether Russia can compete under its flag and anthem at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Sports bodies and governments differ over how Russian participation should be handled, and rules vary by event. Decisions matter for athletes’ ability to compete and for how international sport responds to Russia’s return; views of Russia’s influence also vary across countries, including among young people in Africa.