IOC bans Russian flags from being displayed by fans at the 2026 Olympics
8 January 12:14
Fans have been banned from using Russian flags during the 2026 Olympic Games. This was reported by the IOC in a letter to Radiosporten, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The decision to ban Russian flags was made after fans displaying symbols of the aggressor country were spotted during the Tour de Ski cross-country skiing competition. Fans with Russian flags supported Russian skier Saveliy Korostylev, who competed as a “neutral” athlete.
After his performance at the Tour de Ski, Korostylev also confirmed in a comment to Sportbladet that he was accompanied by fans with Russian flags in their hands as he completed the course and said that he was “pleased to see” such a show of support.
At the same time, Korostylev’s competitors called the use of Russian symbols during international competitions unacceptable. In particular, Swedish skier Edwin Enger said that the presence of Russian symbols at the competition was “not very neutral.”
“We haven’t seen this in a long time. I don’t know what to say, but it’s really something unusual. When there is a war going on, and suddenly they [fans with flags] are here. When there are Russian flags here, it’s not very neutral. Since the athletes are competing in a ‘neutral’ status, it doesn’t really look like they are Russian,” Enger said.
Commenting on this situation, the International Olympic Committee stated in an email to Radiosporten that fans will be prohibited from displaying the Russian flag and other symbols associated with Russia during the 2026 Olympics.
In early December, the International Olympic Committee allowed the use of state symbols for Russians and Belarusians at the youth level. However, the 2023 recommendations for adult athletes remain unchanged: Russians and Belarusians are allowed to participate in international competitions in a neutral status, and team disciplines are prohibited.
The 2026 Olympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22.
