Russians already preparing as IOC clarifies 2026 Olympic rules

The International Olympic Committee has made its position clear for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Russian and Belarusian athletes may compete only as neutral athletes, under the same conditions as at the Paris 2024 Games. That means no national flags or anthems and no participation in the Parade of Nations.

Because the IOC leaves eligibility in individual sports to the respective international federations, outcomes will vary by discipline. Team sports such as ice hockey and curling will not feature Russian teams at all. Among individual winter sports, several federations have already issued decisions: athletes in luge, bobsleigh, skeleton and biathlon are excluded, while figure skating, speed skating, short track and ski mountaineering currently provide a path for neutral athletes to compete.

For the skiing and snowboarding family, the decisive discussions are imminent. From 23–27 September 2025 in Switzerland, the FIS technical committee will address all ski and snowboard disciplines—from ski jumping and cross‑country to Nordic combined, freestyle and snowboard—to determine whether Russian and Belarusian athletes may participate in 2026 under neutral status. This meeting will effectively decide whether jumpers from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to take the start in Italy.

Meanwhile, Russia is not waiting. Its ski jumping squad has already completed a two‑week preparation camp in China as it readies for potential reinstatement.

The Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Milan’s San Siro, with the closing ceremony in Verona.