The IOC already likely side-eyed Russia for a while thanks to doping scandals and the mess that was the Sochi Olympicsin 2014.
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The International Olympic Committee determined that Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, but not under Russia's banner. Instead, they can compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), not representing Russia with the country's flag or banner, and they won't have any other real identification signifying that they're from Russia.
How long has Russia been banned from the Olympics?
Russia's current Olympic ban began in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that Russia's attack on the sovereign nation was a violation of the official Olympic Truce. As a result, the IOC imposed sanctions on Russian competitions and sports.
The IOC formally suspended the Russian Olympic Committee, saying in a statement, “The unilateral decision taken by the Russian Olympic Committee on Oct. 5, 2023, to include, as its members, the regional sports organizations which are under the authority of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine constitutes a breach of the Olympic Charter because it violates the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine, as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in accordance with the Olympic Charter.”
The suspension includes cutting funding and the Russian Olympic Committee's rights to send athletes to the games under their banner.
Russian athletes display the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee (not the actual Russian flag) at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.Photo by JEWEL SAMAD on Getty Images
Russia was busted for what the Associated Press tactfully called a "state-sponsored scheme to provide athletes with performance-enhancing drugs" during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics (in which Russia walked away with a cool 33 medals). The country's wins got a lot of understandable side-eye afterward, and Russia's flag and banner were banned from appearing at the 2018 Winter Games. Russian president Vladimir Putin reportedly blamed the United States for Russia's Olympic issues, griping, "Our American friends did it. We haven’t forgotten it and we never will."
In addition to Russia, Belarus, their ally in their war against Ukraine, is also banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics. Like Russia, athletes from Belarus may be able to compete under the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) banner.
Will Russia be at the 2028 Olympics?
That's a big maybe. According to the Associated Press (via The Independent), in December 2025, the International Olympic Committee advised governing bodies that athletes have "a fundamental right to access sport across the world, and to compete free from political interference or pressure from governmental organizations."
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Is Ukraine allowed in the Olympics?
"We are glad that they will be given this opportunity, and at the same time we are aware of the difficult inner conflicts they may have, given the aggression against their country," the IOC said. "Therefore, we encourage International Federations to handle situations involving Ukrainian and Individual Neutral Athletes with the necessary degree of sensitivity. We continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine."
What country is neutral in athletes?
Athletes from Belarus and Russia are currently only allowed to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
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