In a significant announcement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that Russian athletes will compete at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games set for next February, following a neutral competition format.

This decision mirrors the approach taken during the Paris Olympics, allowing athletes to participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), a system designed to navigate the contentious political landscape surrounding Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized that this procedure is simply a continuation of previous policies, stating, "Nothing has changed from Paris." This move comes after the Russian Olympic Committee faced suspension in 2023 due to violations of the Olympic Charter related to sports organization in occupied regions of Ukraine.

Under current IOC guidelines, while Russia can participate, there are essential restrictions in place. Russian athletes affiliated with military services or who openly support the invasion of Ukraine are barred from team sports and must compete stripped of national identity—no flags, anthems, or national colors are permitted.

At the Paris Games, 32 athletes competed under this neutral banner, with 15 Russian competitors among them. However, the governing bodies of individual sports still hold the ultimate authority to implement and enforce these neutrality regulations.

IOC's Olympic Games operations director, Pierre Ducrey, mentioned ongoing discussions with international federations to facilitate the qualification of these neutral athletes, particularly as some sports organizations have yet to finalize their own participation criteria for AIN athletes.

While Russia's participation is a hot topic, the IOC has faced increasing pressure regarding Israel’s inclusion amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Coventry clarified, "We have never discussed excluding any National Olympic Committees,” highlighting that Israel has not breached the Olympic Charter in a manner comparable to Russia.

Given the rising tensions and protests related to pro-Palestinian movements, security remains a top priority for the IOC as they prepare for the Milan-Cortina Games, scheduled from February 6-22, 2026.

The IOC is committed to ensuring the safety of all participants and attendees, reiterating that preparations will continue as planned despite any external pressures.