Russia's invasion ofUkraine in 2022 didn't just hurt their standing in the international community as a whole. It also did a lot of damage to their standing in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The IOC already likely side-eyed Russia for a while thanks to doping scandals and the mess that was the Sochi Olympicsin 2014.
Is Russia allowed in the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina? The answer is a little more complicated than you might expect. Here are the answers to your biggest questions about Russia and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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Russia as a country is not allowed to compete in the 2026 Olympics, but Russian athletes are allowed to participate. If that sounds confusing, we get it!
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.
Related: ROC vs. AIN: Inside the Russian Olympic Committee, Individual Neutral Athletes, and Why They Exist
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 situation escalated further in 2023, when the Russian Olympic Committee overtook the Ukrainian Olympic Committee in control of Ukraine's sports. The IOC declared the move as a violation of the official Olympic Charter, which grants protections to each country's own rights to their own respective Olympic Committees.
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
It's not the first time Russia's been banned from flying its flag at the Olympics.
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."
Related: Everything You Need to Know About the Doping Scandal at the Winter Olympics—and the Russian Figure Skater at the Center of It
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.
Related: What Do the Olympic Rings Symbolize?
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."
Whether that means athletes specifically representing Russia will be able compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics under the country's banner, however, remains to be seen. If there's anything we've learned from the current news cycle, it's that a lot can happen between now and then.
Related: Say Cheese! Why Do Athletes Bite Their Olympic Gold Medals?
Russia will not compete as a country at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but athletes from Russia are permitted to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). Russia's flag and banner will not be displayed during the Milan-Cortina games.
Related: Miracle on Ice 2.0? USA Hockey Reveals 2026 Olympic Rosters for Milan-Cortina
Is Ukraine allowed in the Olympics?
Yep! The IOC said in a 2023 statement that the Ukrainian government permitted their athletes to represent the war-torn country at 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."
Related: The 13 Most Unforgettable (and Controversial) Figure Skating Moments Ever
What country is neutral in athletes?
Athletes from Belarus and Russia are currently only allowed to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN).
Related: Icy Twists! USA Figure Skating Reveals 2026 Olympic Rosters for Milan-Cortina
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