The landscape for Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo has become a tangled web of regulations, appeals, and last-minute decisions. Despite some doors opening, most remain firmly shut, leaving both countries’ athletes in a state of limbo as the Games approach.
It’s been a dramatic saga since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which triggered sweeping suspensions for Russian and Belarusian athletes across the sporting world. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have each tried to navigate the political and ethical minefield, but the final say has landed with individual sports federations—leading to a patchwork of policies that’s as confusing as it is controversial.
On October 21, 2025, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) made headlines by voting to continue its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, even under a neutral flag, for all qualification events leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics. With a narrow 12-10 council vote, FIS’s decision effectively slammed the door shut for skiers and snowboarders from both nations. This move came despite the IOC’s announcement in September that athletes from these countries could potentially compete as neutrals—if the respective federations allowed it.
FIS confirmed in an official statement: “The International Olympic Committee's AIN regime has been set out as a possible pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Olympic Games, with each International Federation remaining responsible for the decision on whether to allow these athletes to take part in its existing qualification system.” The upshot? Unless FIS reverses its stance, Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders won’t be seen in Milan or Cortina next February.
This decision isn’t just about the Olympics. The IPC, which oversees the Paralympic Games, recently lifted its own ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flags. However, that move was quickly undercut by the realities on the ground. The six sports featured at the 2026 Winter Paralympics are governed by four separate international federations, and three of those—the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, the International Biathlon Union (IBU), and World Curling—have chosen to maintain their bans.
IPC President Andrew Parsons addressed the situation directly on October 23, 2025: “In the same way that the IPC fully respects the decision of the IPC General Assembly not to maintain the partial suspensions of NPC Belarus and NPC Russia, we also fully respect the decisions of each international federation regarding the sports they govern.” Parsons went on to clarify, “The positions of FIS, IBU and World Curling currently mean that athletes and teams from Belarus and Russia cannot compete in their events, making it impossible for them to qualify for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.”
There was a glimmer of hope in para ice hockey, where the ban was lifted in time for Russian and Belarusian teams to be eligible. But that hope was dashed just as quickly—the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Games had already been finalized, and neither country was included. As Parsons put it, “While Belarus and Russia can now compete in Para ice hockey competitions, at this late stage of the qualification cycle, the six teams for November's Paralympic Games qualification tournament have already been determined.”
For Russian and Belarusian athletes, the saga doesn’t end with skiing and snowboarding. The International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) found itself at a crossroads after its independent appeals tribunal ordered the federation to follow IOC regulations regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals in Olympic qualifying events. On October 22, 2025, the IBSF Executive Committee discussed the tribunal’s decision and the need for IOC compliance, with further steps—including a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport—expected soon.
Russian officials, unsurprisingly, have not taken the FIS decision lying down. Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev voiced his country’s frustration and resolve: “The FIS has made a negative decision regarding the admission of Russian athletes to international competitions. We consider such actions completely unacceptable and have nothing in common with the principles and values enshrined in the Olympic Charter.” He added, “The Ministry of Sport and the Russian Olympic Committee, in collaboration with our ski federations, will prepare appeals against the FIS Council’s decision. Russia’s position has been strengthened by a recent precedent—the court ruling in bobsled—which recognized the discriminatory nature of the suspensions. The appeal will be filed as soon as possible.”
The situation for figure skaters is a little less clear-cut. Russian skaters Adeliia Petrosian and Viktoriia Safonova have already secured qualification spots for the Winter Games. However, they will only be able to compete under the IOC’s “Individual Neutral Athlete” (AIN) framework, with no national symbols or anthems allowed. This compromise may allow some Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate, but only under the strictest of conditions—hardly the triumphant return many had hoped for.
The contrast between the FIS’s hardline stance and the IPC’s partial lifting of suspensions underscores the deep divisions that remain in international sport. While some governing bodies are willing to entertain a neutral pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus, others are holding the line, citing the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need to uphold the integrity of competition.
Meanwhile, the official posters for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games were unveiled in Milan on October 22, 2025, by artists Olimpia Zagnoli and Carolina Altavilla. Zagnoli’s “Visione Olympica” features an eclectic character donning the Olympic Rings as glasses against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, celebrating the individuality of athletes and spectators alike. Altavilla’s untitled poster focuses on inclusion and the Paralympic spirit, symbolizing support and safe spaces for athletes’ development. Both posters are now on sale, adding a splash of color and optimism to a Games cycle clouded by controversy and exclusion.
As the countdown continues to the Winter Olympics (February 6–22, 2026) and Paralympics (March 6–15, 2026), the fate of Russian and Belarusian athletes hangs in the balance. With appeals in the works and federations holding firm, the story is far from over. For now, the spotlight shifts to the athletes who will take center stage in Milan and Cortina, their performances set against a backdrop of political intrigue and sporting upheaval.
One thing’s for sure: the 2026 Winter Games will be remembered not just for feats of athleticism, but for the fierce debates and decisions that shaped who could compete—and under what flag.
