Russians to Compete as Neutrals at Milan-Cortina Games; IOC Confirms No Talks on Israel

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Friday that Russian athletes will be permitted to participate in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics under the same neutral status applied during the 2024 Paris Summer Games, allowing them to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasised continuity in policy, stating no changes from the Paris model amid ongoing geopolitical sensitivities.

The decision follows an executive board meeting in Milan, where officials reiterated restrictions stemming from the IOC's 2023 suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The suspension was imposed for violating the Olympic Charter by incorporating sports bodies from occupied eastern Ukraine regions. Eligible Russian athletes must forgo national symbols, including flags, anthems, and colours, and are barred from team events if they serve in the military or publicly endorse Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In Paris, 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians competed as neutrals out of 32 total AINs, demonstrating the system's feasibility despite exclusions.

IOC Olympic Games Operations Director Pierre Ducrey noted collaboration with international federations to streamline qualification for AINs, particularly in sports like figure skating and ski mountaineering, where participation pathways remain unresolved. "We're working closely to identify possibilities for athletes to qualify," Ducrey said, highlighting the need for federations to align with IOC guidelines. This approach balances inclusion with sanctions, ensuring individual merit over national affiliation in a Games that prioritises universality.

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Addressing rising calls for Israel's exclusion amid the Gaza conflict—echoing Russia's bans in events like soccer—Coventry firmly denied any deliberations on barring Israeli athletes. "This executive board, and no other, has discussed not having National Olympic Committees represented," she stated. The IOC distinguishes Israel's situation, citing no Charter breach akin to Russia's territorial actions. However, heightened security looms large, following pro-Palestinian disruptions at the Spanish Vuelta cycling event last Sunday. Coventry reaffirmed commitments to athlete and spectator safety, with protocols unchanged for the February 6-22 Games across northern Italy's alpine venues.

The Milan-Cortina Olympics, marking Italy's third winter hosting, will span diverse sites from Milan to Cortina d'Ampezzo, blending urban and mountainous spectacles. As global tensions persist, the IOC's stance underscores its role in fostering athletic diplomacy while navigating exclusionary pressures.

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