"Very sad and very painful": Elina Svitolina laments Belarus being allowed back into international events

Two-time Rome champion Elina Svitolina swept aside Hailey Baptiste on Sunday but another issue was on her mind at the Foro Italico.

She didn't drop serve winning 6-1, 6-2 to return to the last 16 but amid the backdrop came the decision by the IOC to allow Belarusians back into international tournaments. This means that Aryna Sabalenka and the like will be allowed to play the Olympic Games.

Belarus were initially banned alongside Russia, the former due to their partnership with Russia in aiding their war efforts and why Svitolina is so annoyed by the decision that she called sad and painful and that they're piling on the pain on a country already full of it.

The IOC announced that they recommended easing restrictions. “The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) no longer recommends any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by International Federations (IFs) and international sports event organizers,” the IOC said.

“The IOC EB today lifted the recommended conditions of participation for International Federations and international sports event organisers of 28 February 2022 and 28 March 2023 as they relate to Belarus and Belarusian athletes, including the protective measures.”

Which was of course asked to Svitolina as their most high profile player in Ukraine and a big part of their fight. “It’s very hard question because, I mean, the war is still ongoing,” Svitolina told the media in Rome. “Still rockets are going to Ukraine.

“Yeah, I mean, those two countries still considered aggressors. For us it’s very sad and very painful to see this even considered, they’re talking about it. Yeah, it’s very, very heavy topic. I have a lot to say. I think now is not the best time. But I’m definitely not supporting the talks.”

The IOC said it was based on athletes fundamental right to access sport completely free from political interference. “As the IOC continues to navigate the ever-increasing complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context, including the rising number of wars and conflicts, and amidst growing global instability, it must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world,” the IOC said. “This objective has been reaffirmed through the wide-ranging discussions that have taken place as part of the “Fit for the Future” process, during which the fundamental right of athletes to access sport and compete free from political interference or governmental pressure was confirmed by the IOC Executive Board in September 2025 and reaffirmed at the Olympic Summit in December 2025.” But while that is seen as the case, Russia are still banned.