As the countdown to the Winter Olympics in Italy begins, Russia’s prospects of competing on the global stage are clouded by geopolitical tensions. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and strained relations between Moscow and the International Olympic Committee cast doubt on Russia’s participation in upcoming Games.
With just a year left until the event in Italy, concerns are raised about the fate of Russian athletes. The possibility of a ban looms large, potentially excluding them from their second consecutive Olympics. David Wallechinsky, a former head of the International Society of Olympic Historians, suggests that Russia may not compete independently in the 2026 Winter Games if peace is not restored and diplomatic ties are not repaired.
Russia’s limited presence at recent Olympics, notably in Paris, hints at a trend that could continue in future events. The potential exclusion of Russian athletes from Milano Cortina 2026, combined with the absence of NHL stars and elite figure skaters, paints a bleak picture for their sporting aspirations.
Having competed under various designations since 1994, Russia’s Winter Olympic legacy faces uncertainty due to past doping scandals. The country’s dominance in sports, particularly in figure skating, has been a source of national pride and international recognition. However, the shadow of doping allegations continues to impact Russia’s standing in the global sports community.
Despite the current ban on Russian and Belarusian Olympic committees, individual sports federations may allow some Russian athletes to participate as neutrals. The International Skating Union has requested a list of potential competitors for consideration as neutral athletes in the upcoming Games.
The road ahead for Russian athletes is fraught with challenges, as they navigate geopolitical tensions and doping controversies that threaten to overshadow their Olympic dreams.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov expressed enthusiasm for Russian athletes participating in Olympic competitions despite potential restrictions. The goal is for athletes to compete under the national flag, but they are willing to participate under current conditions. Russian Olympic Committee President Mikhail Degtyarev is optimistic about the dialogue with the international community and the eventual restoration of the ROC status. The OAR banner has seen success, with potential star players like Nikita Kucherov and Alexander Ovechkin being considered for the 2026 games. Russia aims to field a strong hockey team, with notable goaltenders like Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin. Degtyarev emphasized the importance of Russian participation in hockey tournaments and the efforts to restore the status for future Olympics. Moscow is eager to showcase its hockey team in Italy, despite criticisms from IOC. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has raised concerns about the impact on Russia’s future Olympic prospects. There are differing opinions on how the situation may unfold by the upcoming Olympic games in Paris and Milan Cortina.
“Perhaps in the year 2026, it is possible that the situation might improve. Although I do not believe it was their primary concern, they probably did not anticipate such widespread international disapproval nor the level of resistance from Ukraine that has been witnessed.”
