sports
February 11, 2026
Russia plays prideful, but there’s no doubt the Olympics ban is hurting
Some Russians have dismissed the Games over the continued exclusion of their athletes. But the truth is international sport is still important to Moscow
TL;DR
- Some Russian commentators have dismissed the Milano Cortina Winter Games and Paris Games due to the exclusion of their athletes, calling them unimportant or "the Olympics from hell."
- Despite public statements, international sport remains a significant political tool for Moscow, used to demonstrate the country's superiority.
- Russia must overcome two major hurdles to regain full participation in international sport: the fallout from the 2014 state-directed doping scandal and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has found continued non-compliance from the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada).
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allows individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as 'Individual Neutral Athletes' (AINs) if they meet strict criteria, including no support for the war and no military connections.
- Russia has legally challenged the rejection of athletes like cross-country skier Aleksandr Bolshunov, highlighting his military status and support for the war.
- Governing bodies like Fifa and the IOC appear ready to allow Russia back into international sports, with the IOC aiming for Russian athletes to compete under their national flags in the 2026 Youth Olympics.
- Officials and former Olympians are encouraging support for the current Russian AINs, while some believe there's a conspiracy to prevent top Russian athletes from competing.
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