Russian Athletes to Compete at Milan Cortina Games Under Neutral Flag, Excluding Ukraine Ties
Thirteen Russian athletes are set to compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, but they will not be representing their country. Instead, they will participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), a designation also given to seven Belarusians. The move comes amidst ongoing tensions in Ukraine, with peace talks scheduled for this week.
The decision mirrors that made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 2024 Paris Games. Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be included in the opening ceremony, and their flags will not be flown. If an AIN wins a gold medal, their nation's anthem will also not be played.
Russia's exclusion from the Olympics dates back to February 2022, when it invaded Ukraine just days after the Beijing Games. Belarus has provided significant support to Russia during the conflict, prompting the IOC to impose similar penalties on both nations.
AINs must meet strict criteria, including committing to respect the Olympic Charter and proving they are not actively supporting the war in Ukraine. To be accepted into the team, Russian and Belarusian AINs also must undergo an eligibility review process.
Russia has historically been a powerhouse in the Winter Olympics, often among the top medal-counting countries. This year's 13 AINs will compete in just seven events: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, luge, short track, ski mountaineering, and speed skating.
For Russian athletes, competing under their own flag has become a rare occurrence since the 2016 Rio Olympics, when they faced a doping scandal that led to a ban from international competition. In subsequent years, they competed as Olympic Athletes from Russia or under various other titles, including the World Anti-Doping Agency's designation.
The exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Milan Cortina Games is a significant blow to their participation in the Olympics, which will likely have long-term implications for their athletic careers.
Thirteen Russian athletes are set to compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, but they will not be representing their country. Instead, they will participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), a designation also given to seven Belarusians. The move comes amidst ongoing tensions in Ukraine, with peace talks scheduled for this week.
The decision mirrors that made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 2024 Paris Games. Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be included in the opening ceremony, and their flags will not be flown. If an AIN wins a gold medal, their nation's anthem will also not be played.
Russia's exclusion from the Olympics dates back to February 2022, when it invaded Ukraine just days after the Beijing Games. Belarus has provided significant support to Russia during the conflict, prompting the IOC to impose similar penalties on both nations.
AINs must meet strict criteria, including committing to respect the Olympic Charter and proving they are not actively supporting the war in Ukraine. To be accepted into the team, Russian and Belarusian AINs also must undergo an eligibility review process.
Russia has historically been a powerhouse in the Winter Olympics, often among the top medal-counting countries. This year's 13 AINs will compete in just seven events: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, luge, short track, ski mountaineering, and speed skating.
For Russian athletes, competing under their own flag has become a rare occurrence since the 2016 Rio Olympics, when they faced a doping scandal that led to a ban from international competition. In subsequent years, they competed as Olympic Athletes from Russia or under various other titles, including the World Anti-Doping Agency's designation.
The exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Milan Cortina Games is a significant blow to their participation in the Olympics, which will likely have long-term implications for their athletic careers.
You know what this says about us as humans? It's that we gotta take a step back and think about our own actions before we judge others. These athletes are already going through so much by being forced to choose between their country and the games. The fact that it had to come down to a point where they can't even represent themselves shows us that we're still not perfect. 
it's like they're trying to erase their identity as a country and its people just because of politics. 13 athletes are risking everything to compete under a neutral flag, but is that really the only way they can be included? It feels like a huge sacrifice for them and I'm not sure if it's worth it 
I get that Russia's been all like "let's invade Ukraine and see what happens" but come on, athletes deserve to compete without being defined by the drama surrounding their country. 13 Russians will be competing under a flag that doesn't say much for them, but hey, at least they won't have to deal with the whole "not being allowed to show their nation's pride" thing... I guess that's some small consolation, right? 
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. I hope it doesn't have long-term effects on their careers or anything 
and what about all the other russian athletes who cant compete due to doping scandals or whatever? is it fair that only a handful get a second chance? 
also, doesnt this whole thing make the olympics kinda feel like some kinda punishment for russia's actions in ukraine?
Anyway, I feel bad for Russian athletes who've been missing out on competing under their own flag since 2016... maybe this is a chance for them to shine without all the baggage? 
