International Olympic Committee preserves neutral stance for Russian athletes in the 2026 Winter Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Russian athletes will participate in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina under a neutral banner. This decision follows the same framework used for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The performances of Russian athletes will not contribute to Russia's medal tally, and they will be barred from team events like ice hockey and curling. The actual size of Russia's neutral delegation will depend on decisions by individual international sports federations.
The state-orchestrated doping scandal in 2016 led to Russia's Olympic participation being severely restricted. Athletes from both nations were initially excluded "for their own protection," according to the IOC, before being gradually reinstated from March 2023 onward.
The invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions have significantly impacted Russia's Olympic participation. Several major winter sports bodies continue total bans on Russian athletes, including the International Ski Federation, International Biathlon Union, and International Luge Federation. The same sanctions also apply to Belarusian athletes due to that nation's support for Moscow.
Russian athletes will participate in individual events only and will face stringent eligibility requirements. They must demonstrate they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine or maintained connections with military forces. Russian athletes will also be barred from the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The IOC views this as a successful compromise that maintains Olympic universality while avoiding potential boycotts from Ukraine and allied nations. The International Skating Union has opened a narrow qualification path, permitting one competitor from each nation per category while excluding participation in relay or team events.
The neutral athlete system produced limited participation at the Paris Olympics, where only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians competed, collectively earning five medals. Russia competed under the Olympic flag in 2018, then under the Russian Olympic Committee banner at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and Beijing Winter Games in 2022.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry has consistently advocated for inclusive participation. Despite the ongoing restrictions, Russian athletes will have the opportunity to compete on the international stage in Milan-Cortina, albeit under a neutral banner and with stringent conditions.
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