The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has declared that Russian and Belarusian teams will remain barred from the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. This ruling continues existing sanctions imposed following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Only vetted individual athletes from these countries may compete under a neutral flag.
Both Russia and Belarus were banned from the Olympics after the conflict in Ukraine, which also led to their exclusion from other major sporting events. The IOC made exceptions, allowing some athletes to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics as individuals under a neutral flag, while national teams were banned. The IOC stated that teams with Russian or Belarusian passports will not be considered for participation.
Instead, only vetted competitors from the two countries may take part as individuals under a neutral flag. A commission will assess each case, barring those who actively support the conflict or serve under contract with the Russian or Belarusian military or security services.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that the approach taken in the 2024 Paris Olympics will be followed, stating that Nothing has changed. Coventry, who was elected earlier this year, has expressed opposition to banning nations from the Olympics due to armed conflicts.
Russian officials have accused Western nations of politicizing sport and exerting pressure on sports federations to exclude Russian athletes for political reasons. Despite restrictions, Russian athletes have continued to win, with Russian swimmers securing 18 medals, including six golds, at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The team, competing as neutrals, finished fourth overall.
Moscow has condemned the IOC sanctions as a perversion of the Olympic Charter, which aims to keep the Games free of politics. The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in February in the cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.