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Fans watching the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will again notice a major absence. Russian and Belarusian flags will not appear at the Games. Both countries remain under International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctions due to their involvement in the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
However, this does not mean all athletes from those nations are excluded. Instead, a small number have been approved to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, provided they meet strict eligibility standards.
Why Russia and Belarus Are Still Banned
In May 2025, the IOC confirmed that Russia and Belarus would not be allowed to compete as national delegations at the Milano Cortina Games. This decision followed the IOC’s original ruling from February 2022, which aimed to protect the integrity of international sport and ensure athlete safety.
Previously, the same restrictions applied at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. As a result, neither country was permitted to use national flags, anthems, or official team branding.
Therefore, the IOC has continued its policy of separating athletes from state representation.
What Neutral Athlete Status Means
Although national teams are banned, the IOC still allows eligible individuals to compete under a neutral banner. This approach was first used at Paris 2024 and has now been extended to the 2026 Winter Games.
Neutral athletes do not represent their home countries. Instead, they compete under the Olympic flag and anthem. Additionally, they are excluded from the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony.
Most importantly, any medals they win will not count toward the official medal table.
Strict Eligibility Rules for Milano Cortina 2026
To qualify as an Individual Neutral Athlete, competitors had to meet several conditions. First, athletes and support staff could not have publicly supported the war in Ukraine.
Second, they could not be contracted by the Russian or Belarusian military or security agencies.
Additionally, all applicants were required to meet international anti-doping standards without exception.
To ensure fairness, a three-member independent review panel assessed each application. Notably, the panel included former NBA star and three-time Olympic medalist Pau Gasol.
As a result, only athletes who met every requirement received approval.
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How Many Neutral Athletes Were Approved?
After the review process concluded, the IOC approved 20 athletes to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The final group includes:
- Six Russian men
- Seven Russian women
- Seven Belarusian women
Together, they will compete across eight winter sports, including alpine skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, and speed skating. Meanwhile, ski mountaineering and luge are also represented.
Hanna Huskova Leads the Field
Among the approved athletes, Hanna Huskova of Belarus stands out. The 33-year-old freestyle skier specializes in aerials and brings proven Olympic success.
For example, she won gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Later, she added a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Games. Therefore, she enters Milano Cortina as one of the most experienced neutral athletes.
Her participation is expected to draw significant attention.
Impact on the Winter Olympic Medal Race
The sanctions affect Russia more than most nations. Historically, Russia has been a Winter Olympics powerhouse, especially in ice hockey and figure skating.
For instance, the Russian men’s hockey team won gold in 2018 and silver in 2022. Likewise, Russian figure skaters consistently rank among the world’s best.
However, without a national team, medal projections change dramatically. As a result, other countries now have stronger chances to reach the podium.
Medal Count and Ceremony Rules
Because neutral athletes are excluded from national rankings, the official medal table will feature 92 countries. This count includes podium finishes across 16 sports.
Meanwhile, neutral athletes will not appear in the Opening Ceremony’s Parade of Nations. Nevertheless, their results will still be recognized individually.
Balancing Fairness and Accountability
Ultimately, the IOC’s approach aims to balance athlete inclusion with international responsibility. While Russia and Belarus remain sanctioned, eligible athletes still have a pathway to compete.
As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, neutral athletes will continue to shape the conversation. Still, their performances—not politics—will define their Olympic legacy.
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