The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday that it has authorized 13 Russian athletes to participate as neutrals in the 2026 Winter Olympics scheduled to take place in Milan and Cortina, marking a modest return for Russian athletes following a prolonged suspension.
In response to President Vladimir Putin’s order for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which violated the Olympic Truce, athletes, teams, and officials from Russia and Belarus were barred from the Olympic Games.
In September, the IOC indicated that athletes from Russia and Belarus could take part in the 2026 Winter Games under stringent conditions—including competing in a neutral capacity and successfully passing background checks to ensure they do not endorse the conflict in Ukraine or have military affiliations.
The list of Russian athletes permitted to compete in the 2026 Winter Games includes:
**Alpine skiing:** Yulia Pleshkova, Simon Efimov
**Cross-country skiing:** Saveliy Korostelev, Daria Nepriaeva
**Figure skating:** Petr Gumennik, Adelia Petrosian
**Luge:** Daria Olesik, Pavel Repilov
**Short track:** Ivan Posashkov, Alyona Krylova
**Ski mountaineering:** Nikita Filippov
**Speed skating:** Ksenia Korzhova, Anastasia Semenova
Athletes competing under a neutral banner are not allowed to display national flags, anthems, or emblems, and any medals they earn will not contribute to Russia’s overall medal count. They are also prohibited from attending the opening ceremony.
The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina are set to take place from February 6 to February 22.
During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Russian neutrals secured only one medal—a silver in women’s doubles tennis, achieved by Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva.
Russia has been striving to reclaim broader access to international sporting events following a series of favorable judgments and policy adjustments. In September, the International Paralympic Committee restored full participation rights to Russia and Belarus.
In November, the International Judo Federation permitted Russian competitors to represent their nation’s flag. Additionally, last month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s complete ban on Russian athletes was discriminatory, thereby providing a pathway for qualification for the 2026 Games.
The IOC has since advised international federations to reconsider their bans on youth athletes from Russia and Belarus.
