International Olympic Committee permits Russian athletes to participate in the Winter Olympic Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in team events at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. This decision comes in response to the ongoing sanctions against these countries due to their involvement in the war against Ukraine.
Russia, one of the most successful winter sports nations in Olympic history, will not be allowed to field teams in ice hockey and curling, among other team sports. A small number of athletes from Russia and Belarus are expected to participate in Italy, but they will be required to compete under a neutral flag, with the national anthems of Russia and Belarus prohibited at the Games.
The IOC's decision follows the suspension of Russia's Olympic Committee for recognizing the four Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Saporishzhia. The ban also extends to Belarus, Russia's ally, due to its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The IOC and the respective international sports federations have opposed the participation of Russian and Belarusian national teams in the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, individual athletes from both countries may be allowed to compete in individual disciplines, with decisions to be made by the respective international federations.
The Ice Skating Federation has allowed Russian athletes to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics, while the world federations for bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge have banned Russian participation in the Olympic ice track in Cortina. The International Skating Union is allowing Russians to compete in figure skating, speed skating, and short track under certain conditions for the qualifying competitions.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has not yet discussed the admission of Russians and Belarusians in alpine skiing, ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and nordic combined. In biathlon, the world federation has ruled out the participation of neutral athletes.
The display of national symbols at the Olympic venues is also prohibited for participants from Russia and Belarus. The same rules that applied at the Summer Games in Paris last year will be followed.
This decision by the IOC is a violation of the Olympic Charter, which promotes the principle of political neutrality and the participation of all nations. However, the IOC believes that the current situation in Ukraine necessitates these measures to maintain the integrity and spirit of the Olympics.
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