Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe has been elected as the new International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, marking the first time in the IOC's 131-year history that a woman has held the position. Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer with 7 medals, succeeds Thomas Bach. She won the election against strong contenders including Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and Seb Coe. Her election is seen as a sign of the IOC's commitment to globalization and diversity. It may positively influence Jeonbuk's bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, given her close relationship with Seung Min Ryu, the president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

The IOC is actively campaigning for the readmission of Russian athletes to the 2026 Winter Olympics, engaging with winter sports federations to implement eligibility verification, anti-doping checks, and individual eligibility assessments similar to those used in the summer sports. The ISU has already allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to qualify as neutrals under strict conditions. However, the FIS and IBU maintain their ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes since March 2022. The ROC hopes for the return of the Russian flag at the Games, while IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry aims to prioritize athletes amidst global political issues.

The IPC's Independent Anti-Doping Tribunal sanctioned Russian Para athlete Nikolay Polukhin for an anti-doping violation at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. Polukhin is stripped of his gold and two silver medals after an investigation revealed evidence of urine sample tampering as part of Russia's state-sponsored doping program. Forensic analysis of his sample bottles showed tampering, and DNA testing confirmed urine substitution. Polukhin's appeal to CAS was withdrawn due to non-payment. FIS and IBU will determine further consequences. The IPC has also suspended para swimmer Aleksey Lyzhikhin, and RUSADA has charged multiple para athletes.

The IOC is reportedly pushing for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics, following a similar model to Paris 2024 where athletes competed as neutrals. Despite bans from several winter sports federations due to the war in Ukraine, the IOC is in talks with bodies such as the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the International Ski Federation (FIS) to allow athletes to qualify. The final decision rests with the IFs and may depend on the outcome of the upcoming IOC presidential elections in March 2025, where candidates like Sebastian Coe and Prince Faisal bin Hussein have expressed conditional support for their return. Belarus has taken steps to normalize relations with the IOC and is enhancing sporting collaboration with Russia.