Source: ISU
Only fifteen Russians were at Paris 2024. There will be even fewer in Italy. Thirteen Russian athletes managed to qualify, while also meeting the criteria of the neutral individual athlete status From the IOC: two in alpine skiing (Yulia Pleshkova, Simon Efimov), two in figure skating (Petr Gumennik, Adeliia Petrosian), two in luge (Daria Olesik, Pavel Repilov), two in short track (Ivan Posashkov, Alena Krylova), two in cross-country skiing (Savelii Korostelev, Daria Nepriaeva), and two in speed skating (Kseniia Korzhova, Anastasiia Semenova), as well as one in ski mountaineering (Nikita Filippov). Seven Belarusians (including three in freestyle skiing) will also compete as AINs (International Association of Athletics). This situation will have a considerable impact on the medal standings.
International federations in resistance
The IOC applied the same principle as at Paris 2024, authorizing Russian athletes to participate under the status of neutral individual athletes (AIN). The ball was then in the court of the international federations, which did not all adopt the same approach. As early as December 2024, the International Skating Union (ISU) and the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) announced that they would allow some Russian athletes, under neutral status, to participate in the Olympic qualifying events. Their counterparts showed more resistance.
In September 2025, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) congress voted against the participation of Russian athletes in its events. The International Luge Federation (FIL) did the same. After appeals, both federations were ultimately forced to admit a small number of Russian athletes, under conditions of neutrality, in December. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) found itself in a similar situation. By January 15, it had approved the participation of 45 Russian and Belarusian athletes in its events. However, due to time constraints and having missed a number of competitions, these athletes were unable to fully compete.
The International Biathlon Union (IBU) took a firm stance: the Russian federation remains suspended, and no neutral status is provided for in the IBU regulations. Therefore, no Russian biathlete could hope to qualify. With Russian participation still prohibited in team competitions, the door was automatically closed in curling and ice hockey, where Russia had qualified in both the men's and women's categories.
32 medals in 2022
The days of Sochi, when Russia fielded over 220 athletes and won 33 medals, including 13 golds (before the doping scandals surfaced), are long gone. Despite the sanctions, the Russians also made their mark at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games: the Russian Olympic Committee delegation sent some 210 athletes to China, winning 32 medals (including five golds) and finishing ninth overall. Only Norway had more medals at the time (37). The Russians excelled primarily in cross-country skiing (11 medals, including four golds), figure skating (six medals, including one gold), and biathlon (four medals). Their near-absence from the Games thus opens up a world of opportunities for other nations.
For how long? The International Paralympic Committee has softened its stance. In accordance with the IOC's recommendations, several national federations, including the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), have reinstated Russians and Belarusians in the youth categories. At the end of November, the International Judo Federation, for its part, decided outright to to rejoin Russia, with its anthem and its flagRussian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev says he is optimistic. The status of the Russian participants is currently neutral, as the Russian Olympic Committee has not been reinstated. We hope for a positive decision from the IOC in the coming months. " he said, adding that he appreciated " Kirsty Coventry's approach ", less closed than Thomas Bach. The subject will undoubtedly be on the agenda of the meetings planned in Milan in the coming days.
