About 20 “neutral” athletes: which Russians are competing at the Games in Milan?
9 February 18:31
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has stated that it is monitoring all public statements and activities of Russian athletes participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy under so-called neutral status.
This was announced on the air of “WeAre Ukraine“ by the press secretary of the NOC of Ukraine, Maxim Cheberyaka, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, the goal is to prevent attempts to legitimize the aggressor country through international sports.
How “neutrality verification” works
According to Cheberyaka, the Ukrainian side systematically analyzes:
- public statements by athletes;
- activity on social media;
- possible signs of support for the Kremlin regime.
If such facts are found, the NOC of Ukraine forwards the evidence to the International Olympic Committee and international federations.
“Athletes undergo a so-called neutrality check. We monitor all their statements and actions on social media and send the evidence,” Cheberyaka said.
What has already been done
The NOC of Ukraine refers to previous experience. Before the Summer Olympics in Paris, according to Cheberyaka, many athletes from Russia were denied neutral status precisely because of evidence of support for the war or state propaganda.
There were similar cases before the current Winter Games, but there were fewer of them.
The reason, according to the Ukrainian side, is that Russian athletes have learned to hide their position and avoid public statements.
How many “neutral” athletes were admitted to the Games
Currently, about 20 athletes from Russia and Belarus have been admitted to participate in the Winter Olympics in Milan.
They are competing:
- without a national flag;
- without an anthem;
- without any state symbols.
However, the NOC of Ukraine emphasizes that the very fact of such athletes’ participation remains a subject of constant attention and response.
Maksym Cheberyaka stressed that as long as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, there can be no “normalization” or full return of Russian athletes to the international arena.
At the same time, he said, the geopolitical situation is changing, and in some sports, Russians are already being allowed to compete not only in a neutral status, but in some cases under their national flags.
This position is also supported by Ukrainian diplomacy. Earlier, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated that restrictions against Russia and Belarus should remain in place as long as the war continues and the Olympic Charter is violated.
Olympics 2026: what is known
The XXV Winter Olympic Games started in Italy on February 6 and will last until February 22.
- Over 4,000 athletes
- 96 countries;
- 16 sports;
- 116 sets of medals.
Ukraine is represented by 46 athletes competing in 11 disciplines, from biathlon and freestyle to figure skating and snowboarding.
