Russian Olympians: Choice to Stay Home or Represent Themselves at the Games
Russian athletes will be competing at the 2026 Winter Games under a neutral flag, and their anthem will not be played during any of the ceremonies. [2] This is nothing new for the country’s athletes, as their summer Olympians competed under the same conditions since 2017.[3] Russia’s ban from competing in the Olympics dates back to 2017, forcing their athletes to either stay home or compete as “individual neutral athletes”. [4] The International Olympic Committee ("IOC") permits participation of these athletes because it holds the view that competing in sports is a fundamental right, regardless of political interference.[5]
Why is Russia Banned in the First Place
Russia’s ban first began in 2017 after a three-year-long doping investigation surrounding the 2014 Olympics.[6] The investigation revealed that the doping scandal was orchestrated by the Russian Olympic Committee.[7] Russian athletes were still able to compete under a neutral flag in the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Olympics, as long as they passed anti-doping tests.[8]
However, now Russia’s current ban stems from their invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus is included in that ban for their support of Russia’s actions. [9] The IOC follows the United Nations ("UN") resolution “Sports as an enabler of sustainable development” which emphasizes that international sporting events should only take place in environments of peace and international cooperation, without any discrimination, to promote a unified atmosphere. [10] The UN encouraged the IOC to allow Russian athletes to participate under a neutral flag, in order to protect the Games from discrimination on the basis of an athlete’s nationality.[11]
How to Qualify as a Individual Neutral Athletes ("AIN")
The IOC has established a list of criteria that must be met in order for athletes to compete. [12] According to the regulation athletes with Russian passports may only compete as Individual Neutral Athletes; no teams are allowed to compete. [13] Therefore, no team sporting events may include athletes holding Russian passports. Athletes who support the war, either through participation in the military or in other supporting measures, are barred from competing.[14]
A panel of three members of the IOC will review athletes’ applications and may also invite athletes to compete at the 2026 Winter Games. [15] Once the athletes have been accepted, the panel will continue monitor their conduct before, during, and after the Games.[16] All conduct of the athletes competing as AIN must comply with the Principles of Participation. [17] The 2028 Summer Olympic Games have yet to make a decision regarding Russia’s ability to have representation. While the Russian’s Olympic Committee is hopeful that they will be welcomed back into the Games, its ongoing war with Ukraine and prior doping allegations make it is unclear how the IOC will rule for 2028.[18]
Abby Reasoner (staff writer) is a 2L from Kutztown, Pennsylvania. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Shippensburg University in 2025. Last summer, Abby interned with Dalton & Associates, where she gained experience in medical malpractice, personal injury, and corporate and business matters. She will return to Dalton & Associates for Summer 2027. At Villanova, Abby is involved with the Corporate Law Society and serves as a 2L Rep for the Intellectual Property Society. In Spring 2026, she was a semifinalist in the 1L Trial Competition. She is also interested in researching the regulation of underwater mining on a global scale, including the role of the UN.
References:
[1] Photo by Hansjörg Keller on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-large-white-sculpture-with-falkirk-wheel-in-the-background-ztJPqkLN0_g
[2] Lucia Suarez Sang, Russian athletes allowed to participate at 2026 Winter Games under neutral flag IOC say, CBS News (Sep. 19,2025), https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-athletes-2026-winter-games-neutral-flag-ioc/
[3] Id.
[4] S. Dev, What is “AIN” in the Olympics? Why Russian and Belarusian athletes can’t represent their countries, CBS News (Aug. 2,2024), https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-ain-olympics-russia-belarus/
[5] Jacob Wendler, Olympic Committee says Russians should be allowed to compete under their own flag in youth events, POLITICO (Dec. 11, 2025), https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/11/2026-olympics-russian-athletes-flag-00687339
[6] Kristen Wong, Is Russia at the 2026 Winter Olympics? Understanding the Ban and What It Means, Sports Illustrated (Jan. 27,2026), https://www.si.com/winter-olympics/is-russia-at-the-2026-winter-olympics-ban
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Callum Sutherland, How Are Russians and Belarusian Athletes Competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?, Time (Jan. 27, 2026), https://time.com/7357901/russian-belarusian-athletes-2026-winter-olympics/
[10] Following a Request by the 11th Olympic Summit, IOC Issues Recommendations for International Federations and International Sports Event Organisers on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions, International Olympic Committee (Mar. 28, 2023),
[11] Id.
[12] Individual Neutral Athletes to compete at Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games under same conditions as for Paris 2024, International Olympic Committee (Sep. 19, 2025), https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/individual-neutral-athletes-to-compete-at-milano-cortina-2026-olympic-winter-games-under-same-conditions-as-for-paris-2024
[13] Following a Request by the 11th Olympic Summit, IOC Issues Recommendations for International Federations and International Sports Event Organisers on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions, International Olympic Committee (Mar. 28, 2023),
[14] Id.
[15] Individual Neutral Athletes to compete at Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games under same conditions as for Paris 2024, International Olympic Committee (Sep. 19, 2025), https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/individual-neutral-athletes-to-compete-at-milano-cortina-2026-olympic-winter-games-under-same-conditions-as-for-paris-2024
[16] Id.
[17] Id.
[18] Christopher Kelsall, Russia Prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games fully planning to compete: Has the Systematic doping ceased?, Athletics Illustrated (Sep.6, 2025), https://athleticsillustrated.com/russia-prepares-for-the-2028-los-angeles-olympic-games-fully-planning-to-compete/
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