The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that a limited number of Russian athletes will be permitted to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina (February 6–22, 2026), but only as individual neutral athletes with strict conditions that render them effectively stateless in the Games.
Under the IOC’s latest ruling announced on Wednesday, January 29, 2026:
No national symbols: Russian athletes will not be allowed to wear national colors, display the Russian flag, or have the Russian national anthem played at any ceremony.
No country designation: They will appear as “Individual Neutral Athletes” (similar to the AIN designation used in Paris 2024) in official results, athlete profiles, and medal tables.
No contribution to medal table: Any medals won by these athletes will not count toward Russia’s (or any country’s) official medal tally. The medal table will show only nations whose athletes compete under their flag.
Strict vetting: Only athletes who meet the IOC’s neutrality criteria no active military or security service affiliation, no public support for the war in Ukraine, no doping history will be eligible. The number of approved athletes is expected to be very small.
The decision follows the IOC’s ongoing suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) since October 2023, which was partially lifted in 2025 under heavy conditions. The ROC remains barred from sending an official delegation.
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Russian Olympic Committee: Strongly condemned the ruling as “discriminatory and politically motivated,” vowing to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Ukrainian Olympic Committee: Welcomed the restrictions but called for a complete ban, arguing that “neutrality is meaningless when the war continues.”
Western nations & athletes: Mixed some praised the IOC for allowing participation under strict rules, others criticised it as “too lenient.”
Public sentiment in Russia: Social media posts show widespread anger, with many calling for a full boycott.
The 2026 Winter Games will now feature athletes from Russia competing without any visible link to their country competing, but not representing it.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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