Svitolina Calls IOC Decision “Very Sad, Very Painful”

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, May 10, 2026
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport

The IOC is piling pain on Ukraine, Elina Svitolina says.

Two-time Rome champion Svitolina did not drop serve sweeping American Hailey Baptiste 6-1, 6-2 to return to the Rome round of 16 without surrendering a set.

Afterward, the 31-year-old Ukrainian was asked her reaction to the International Olympic Committee’s announcement last week. The IOC announced it recommends easing restrictions on Belarusian athletes for international events.

“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.”

Svitolina said that decision ignores the fact Ukraine is still under fire from Russia, which attacked its neighboring nation in February of 2022. Svitolina called the IOC announcement “very sad and very painful.”

“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 its decision is based on athletes’ fundamental right to “access sport and compete 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.”

In tennis, Russian and Belarusian athletes continue to compete without their national flags.

Russia and Belarus are not permitted to compete in Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup competition, a decision emanating from the ITF condemning Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and support from Belarus in the war.

It’s been a superb season for Ukrainian women on Tour. Marta Kostyuk, Svitolina’s Billie Jean King Cup teammate, defeated Russian Mirra Andreeva in the Mutua Madrid Open final to capture the biggest title of her career this month. In January, Svitolina won her 19th career title in Auckland and went on to reach the Dubai final.

“Amazing. She always been a very strong player,” Svitolina said of Kostyuk. “Now she’s more consistent. She plays really high level. Yeah, it’s amazing.

“Not only that, but also having seven Ukrainians in top hundred is really impressive I think. Now taking in consideration the war and everything, what’s happening in our country, I think it’s great inspiration for younger generation to try to do better, try to compete. It shows that it is possible.

“I think especially for girls back in Ukraine, it’s a great example.”

The owner of seven career clay-court crowns, Svitolina will try to keep her Rome roll going against lucky loser Nikola Bartunkova, who upset 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.