IOC president drops clearest hint yet that Russia will make 2028 Olympics return

"That means keeping sport a neutral ground," she declared. "A place where every athlete can compete freely, without being held back by the politics or divisions of their governments."

The Zimbabwean former swimmer, whilst avoiding explicit mention of Russia, acknowledged the organisation operates within political realities.

"We understand politics and we know we don't operate in a vacuum. But our game is sport," she told delegates.

The remarks were swiftly interpreted as signalling a potential thaw in Moscow's Olympic exile, which began following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

A mere 13 Russian competitors will participate as neutrals at the Milano Cortina Winter Games this month, a dramatic reduction from the 200 who represented the "Russian Olympic Committee" in Beijing four years prior.

Russian IOC member Shamil Tarpischev offered an enthusiastic response to Coventry's address, confirming that dialogue with Olympic officials had markedly improved.

"It was emphasised in her speech that the political component shouldn't play a role," he told German media. "Because sport is inspiration and the future."

Tarpischev noted the atmosphere had shifted considerably since Paris, describing current communications as less fraught than previously experienced.

Coventry's intervention came precisely one day after FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his own desire to see Russia welcomed back into international football.

The Swiss administrator told Sky News that the ban had "not achieved anything" and ought to be reconsidered, particularly regarding youth competitions.

Both sporting bodies appear to be moving in tandem, with the IOC having advised governing bodies in December to permit Russian youth athletes to compete under their own flag and anthem once more.

FIFA subsequently announced plans for an under-15 festival open to all 211 member associations.

Tarpischev revealed he had sat beside Infantino at a concert the previous evening, describing the FIFA chief as "very positive about all our efforts in terms of participation."

Ukraine's response to both sporting chiefs was unsparing in its condemnation.

Sports minister Matvii Bidnyi branded Infantino's position "irresponsible, not to say infantile," accusing him of divorcing football from the brutal reality of conflict.

"Let me remind you that since the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians," he stated. "Among them were 100 footballers."

The minister cited specific instances of young players killed by missile strikes and shelling, insisting that "war is a crime, not politics."

Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha drew a damning historical parallel, posting on X: "Future generations will view this as a shame reminiscent of the 1936 Olympics."

Bidnyi maintained that Russian flags and national symbols have no place among those who respect "justice, integrity, and fair play."