Russia will not compete under its flag at Olympics 2026 even if war ends

Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has said that a possible truce does not change the conditions for Russian athletes to take part in the Winter Olympics in 2026.

Source: Corriere della Sera, an Italian daily newspaper, citing Coventry

Quote: "At the moment, nothing will change in the decision that was already taken: neutral athletes will compete on an individual basis."

Details: Asked about the prospect of an Olympic truce being observed and whether there are direct interactions with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Coventry said that "the channel is open with the Olympic committees of Russia and Israel".

At the 2026 Games, Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be able to take part in the opening ceremony, will not compete in team events and medals won by neutral athletes will not appear in the medal table. They will also not be able to represent their country under its flag.

In Paris, only those approved as "neutral individual athletes" were allowed to compete.

The size of the neutral delegation now depends on the international sports federations responsible for qualification, some of which continue to bar Russians and Belarusians from their competitions.

Coventry, from Zimbabwe, is the first woman to lead the IOC and the first person from Africa to head the organisation.

Background:

• The IOC has recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in international competitions at the youth level.
• A number of international federations that have eased sanctions now include volleyball, where Russia and Belarus are due to return to youth competitions and will compete under their own flags. Similar permission to compete with national symbols, as cited in a junior-level ruling, was previously reported in fencing.

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