IOC Extends Ban on Russian and Belarusian National Teams The International Olympic Committee has prohibited Russia and Belarus from entering any team events at the Paris 2024 Summer Games and the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Only athletes who receive approval from their sport’s federation may compete, and they must do so under the “Individual Neutral Athlete” designation without national symbols. This policy is applied uniformly across both the upcoming Summer and Winter Olympics [1][2].

Twenty Athletes Confirm Neutral Status for Milan‑Cortina As of Jan. 29, a roster of 20 competitors—13 Russians and 7 Belarusians—has accepted invitations to compete as neutrals in sports including alpine skiing, figure skating, luge and speed skating. Prospective participants undergo a two‑step vetting process that verifies no public support for the Ukraine invasion, no ties to military or security agencies, compliance with anti‑doping rules, and fulfillment of standard qualification criteria. All confirmed athletes will appear without flag, anthem or national colors during the Games [1][2].

Neutral Participation Mirrors Earlier Olympic Designations The current neutral status follows a series of IOC‑mandated designations: “Olympic Athletes from Russia” in 2018, the “Russian Olympic Committee” banner in Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, and the neutral team of 15 Russians at Paris 2024. Each iteration arose from sanctions related to doping violations and geopolitical concerns, establishing a precedent for the 2026 arrangement. The continuity underscores the IOC’s long‑term strategy to separate athletes from state actions while preserving competition integrity [1][2].

World Taekwondo Reverses Flag Ban for Russian and Belarusian Competitors On Feb. 1, World Taekwondo announced that junior and senior athletes from Russia and Belarus may compete in international tournaments under their national flags, following an extraordinary council meeting in Fujairah on Jan. 31. The federation retained existing sanctions that bar Russia from hosting events and prohibit accreditation of Russian government officials, maintaining pressure on the Russian sports administration. The decision aligns with a recent IOC policy allowing youth athletes to use national symbols at the Dakar 2024 Youth Olympic Games [3].

Policy Divergence Highlights Inconsistent International Sports Sanctions While the IOC insists on neutral status for Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Olympics, World Taekwondo permits the display of national flags in its competitions, creating a split in how major governing bodies enforce sanctions. Both organizations cite the IOC’s youth‑Olympic precedent, yet their implementation differs, reflecting varying interpretations of “political neutrality” versus “athlete rights.” This discrepancy may influence future coordination among sport federations regarding sanctions enforcement [2][3].