International Olympic Committee bans Russia from team events at the 2026 Winter Olympics
A significant development in the history of modern Winter Olympics has taken place as Russian and Belarusian athletes face restrictions regarding their participation in the major sporting event of 2026.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that athletes from these countries will be barred from competing in team events under the Olympic banner at the 2026 Games, which will be held in Italy.
This decision stems from broader political and security concerns related to Russia and Belarus’ involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
However, individual Russian and Belarusian athletes may still participate as neutral competitors, provided they pass a strict vetting process conducted by a dedicated commission.
The primary criterion for their inclusion will be the absence of support for the war in Ukraine.
These measures are not new; similar restrictions were enforced during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where 15 Russian and 16 Belarusian athletes competed under a neutral status.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from February 6 to 22.
Recently, it was officially announced that Russian hockey teams have been replaced by international competitors, marking further sanctions and isolation for Russian sports.
The IOC previously discussed the possibility of allowing Russian athletes to compete, but current decisions emphasize restrictions mainly affecting team participation.