A Winter Olympics Marked by Isolation for Russian Athletes
– As the Olympic Winter Games approach in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, a complex situation is unfolding regarding the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus. Olympic officials are signaling a willingness to allow these athletes to compete, but under strict conditions that will result in a markedly isolated Games experience for them.
The upcoming Winter Games, scheduled from to , will see over 3,500 athletes from 93 countries vying for 195 medals across 16 Olympic disciplines. This Olympiad marks the first under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, who has acknowledged the “added additional complexities” of hosting the event across a vast 22,000 km² area.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC faced intense pressure regarding the participation of Russian athletes. The situation has evolved, with the IOC gradually opening paths for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete, albeit under significant restrictions. The Russian Olympic Committee reportedly attempted to claim athletes from occupied Ukrainian territory, a move that further complicated the landscape.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete only as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs). This designation carries a heavy symbolic weight, as they will be barred from representing their nations through flags, anthems, or team uniforms. The decision, outlined by the IOC Executive Board in December 2025, permits AINs to participate in qualification events, provided they meet prescribed neutrality criteria.
The eligibility criteria for AINs are stringent. Athletes must accept and sign Conditions of Participation, committing to respect the Olympic Charter, including its “peace mission.” The AIN quotas, however, will not apply to team events, limiting the scope of their participation. These quotas are determined through existing qualification competitions and the specific requirements set by individual International Federations.
Nikita Filippov, a 23-year-old ski mountaineer from Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula, exemplifies this new reality. He is considered a medal contender in the relatively new Olympic sport of ski mountaineering – a demanding discipline involving sprinting uphill and skiing back down. At the Milan Cortina Olympics, Filippov will be among a small contingent of Russians competing under the AIN banner.
Filippov’s journey to the Olympics has been documented by the Associated Press, showcasing his training regimen at the foothills of Mount Elbrus, often alongside his father, who serves as a senior trainer for the Russian ski-mountaineering team. These images and interviews offer a glimpse into the dedication and perseverance of athletes navigating the current geopolitical climate.
The decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete, even under these restricted conditions, is not without its critics. It reflects a delicate balancing act for the IOC, attempting to uphold the principles of inclusivity while responding to international condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The legal terrain surrounding the Games is fraught with challenges, as the IOC, the organizing committee, and International Federations navigate these complex issues.
The Winter Games in Milan Cortina are poised to be a unique and potentially controversial event, marked by the absence of national symbols for a significant number of athletes and a heightened awareness of the geopolitical forces shaping the world of sports. The focus will be on individual athletic achievement, but the shadow of international conflict will undoubtedly loom large.
