Russian Athletes Compete as Neutrals Amidst Olympic Ban

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are proceeding with a complex arrangement regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes, who are competing as neutral athletes due to sanctions imposed following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While national teams from Russia and Belarus are banned, individual athletes who meet specific criteria are permitted to participate under a neutral banner.

Why Russia and Belarus are Banned

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) initially suspended the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in February 2022, citing the violation of the Olympic Truce following the invasion of Ukraine . This suspension was further justified by Russia’s unilateral decision to include regions from within Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee within its own, violating territorial integrity. Belarus faced similar sanctions for its role in supporting the invasion .

The ban extends to both the Summer and Winter Games, meaning neither the Russian nor Belarusian flags are displayed, and their national anthems are not played .

Neutral Athlete Eligibility

In January 2025, the IOC announced that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus could compete as “neutral athletes,” explicitly stating they could “in no way represent their state or any other organization in their country” . However, team participation remains prohibited.

To be eligible, athletes and their support personnel must meet stringent criteria:

• They must not have actively supported the war in Ukraine .
• They must not be contracted by the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies .
• They must meet all standard anti-doping requirements .

Presence at the 2026 Winter Olympics

As of February 14, 2026, twenty athletes from Russia and Belarus are competing at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics as neutral athletes . These athletes compete without national representation, and under a neutral flag.

One example is Russian figure skater Petr Gumennik, who competed as a neutral athlete and finished sixth in men’s figure skating .

Concerns and Protests

The presence of neutral athletes has not been without controversy. Anastasia Kucherova, a Russian athlete, notably walked with the Ukrainian team during the opening ceremony as a form of protest against the war . Kucherova, who has not returned to Russia since 2018, expressed concerns for her safety and the potential repercussions for her contacts in Russia .

Looking Ahead

The situation regarding Russian and Belarusian athletes remains fluid. While the IOC has allowed individual participation under strict conditions, the broader sanctions remain in place. The future of their participation in international sports will likely depend on the evolving geopolitical landscape and adherence to the IOC’s requirements.