The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced that athletes from Russia will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics under a neutral banner if they meet certain strict conditions.
“The Executive Board will take the exact same approach that was done in Paris,” said IOC president Kirsty Coventry, referring to last year’s Olympics, where Russian athletes could only take part under a neutral flag and in individual events.
Athletes had to prove they haven’t supported the Ukraine war or have military ties. The policy, introduced after Russia’s 2022 invasion, was upheld at a Milan meeting on Friday.
“I believe that it’s best for our movement to ensure that we have all athletes represented,” Coventry said in March when she was elected head of the IOC.
The small number of Russian and Belarusian athletes in Paris satisfied the Olympic body, while their participation now depends on international federations, some of which still impose bans.
