Russian and Belarussian athletes are welcome next year under a neutral flag at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina. The IOC announced this on Friday. The Olympic Committee thus maintains the same measure as during the Summer Games in Paris.
“We talked about the independent neutral athletes (AINs). This is nothing new. The board will use exactly the same approach as in Paris. Nothing has changed,” IOC chairman Kirsty Coventry said at a press conference on Friday.
The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023 because of the raid in Ukraine. A small number of individual Russian and Belarussian athletes were allowed to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, after a strict screening by the IOC.
Russian and Belarussian athletes who qualify for next year’s Games will again be screened for any ties with the Russian army or support the war in Ukraine. Teams from both countries are not allowed to participate.
Skating Union ISU had already reported in December of last year that Russian skaters were welcome under certain conditions at qualifying competitions for the Games, such as the World Cup competitions in the Langebaan or the qualifying tournaments at figure riding. For each competition, only one individual participant can be used per part and one couple in the pair and ice dancing, the ISU reported.
The Winter Games start on February 6 and last until 22 February.
Russian and Belarusian Athletes are welcome next year a neutral flag at the winter games in Milan and Cortina. The IOC announced this on Friday. The Olympic Committee is Thus Sticking to the Same Measure as Turning the Summer Games in Paris.
“We have discussed the Independent Neutral Athletes (Ains). This is Nothing New. The Board Will Use Exactly the Same Approach As in Paris. Nothing Has Changed,” Said IOC President Kircentry on Friday at a Press Conference.
The IOC Suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023 Due to the Invasion of Ukraine. A Small Number of Individual Russian and Belarusian Athletes Were Allowed to Participate As Ains In the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, After a Strict Screening by the IOC.
Russian and Belarusian Athletes who qualify for next year’s games will again be screened for any ties to the russian military or support for the war in ukraine. Teams from Both Countries Are Not Allowed to Participate.
The Isu Skating Union had Already Reported in December last year Russian Skaters Are Welcome Certain Conditions at Qualifying Competitions for the Games, Such as the World Cup Competitions in Long Track Or the Qualifying Tournaments in Figure Skating. At Each Competition, only one individual participant per event can be used and one couple in pair skating and ice dancing, the isu reported.
The Winter Games at the beginning of February 6 and Last Until February 22.