Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Russian Athletes Barred from Representing Country at Winter Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot represent their countries at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy.
This decision was made because of the war in Ukraine.
Even if Russia and Ukraine make peace, the athletes will still not be able to represent their countries.
They will have to compete as individuals, without their national flags or anthems.
The IOC's president, Kirsty Coventry, said that having the Olympics in multiple cities, like Italy is doing, might become more common in the future.
The Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22.
Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot represent their countries at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine.
The IOC banned Russia and Belarus following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Athletes from these countries will compete as individuals without a national flag or anthem.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry suggested that hosting the Olympics in multiple cities may become the new normality.
The Milano Cortina games are scheduled to run from February 6 to 22.
- Who
- Russian and Belarusian athletes
- What
- Barred from representing their countries at the Winter Olympics
- When
- The decision was made in September, and the games run from February 6 to 22
- Where
- Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy
- Why
- Due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
- Event
- Milano Cortina Winter Olympics
- Dates
- February 6 to 22
- IOC Decision
- Russian and Belarusian athletes compete as individuals
- IOC President
- Kirsty Coventry
- Ban Reason
- Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
- Future Olympics
- Multiple cities may become the new normality
Sources
Russian athletes won’t represent their country at Winter Olympics even if peace deal is reached: IOC chief
Russians won't represent their country at Winter Olympics even if Ukraine war ends, IOC chief says
Russians won't be representing their country at Winter Games: Coventry
