The International Olympic Committee has granted permission for select individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate as neutral athletes at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. This decision follows the same process used during the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024, where a panel screened qualified individual athletes from the two countries. In Paris, 32 athletes from Russia and Belarus across 10 sports were approved to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). However, teams of athletes from these countries will not be permitted to compete.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, speaking from Italy where Olympic officials have been conducting venue tours and executive board meetings, reiterated the importance of maintaining fairness and respect for the established criteria. Eligibility requirements include refraining from actively supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and undergoing screenings for any affiliations with military or national security agencies. Athletes approved to compete will represent the Individual Neutral Athlete flag and will not have their national anthem played if they win a medal.
Meanwhile, certain sports federations, such as the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and the International Luge Federation, have already announced that Russian athletes will not be allowed to participate as neutral athletes at the 2026 Games.
In a separate development, the IOC expressed concerns about global conflicts disrupting sports competitions and the impact of political tensions on events. The executive board of the IOC has established a working group to ensure the organization, the Olympic Games, and sports activities remain politically neutral, upholding their mission to unite nations through peaceful competition.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, IOC President Coventry emphasized the importance of diplomacy in dealing with various world leaders. She highlighted the need for effective communication to ensure the success of the Games while upholding the organization’s values.
Additionally, Coventry announced that the weightlifting competition at the L.A. Olympics will feature two new bodyweight categories for men and women. This adjustment aims to reduce extreme weight reduction practices and align more closely with weightlifting categories used in world championships.
Concerns remain about the timeline for completing the ice hockey rink at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, a key venue for the upcoming Games. Organizers are working on a tight schedule, with plans to start creating temporary ice in October and testing it just before the Games begin. Despite the challenges, organizers are closely monitoring the progress and remain optimistic about meeting the deadlines for the venue’s completion.
