February 2026
The start of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina ignited a global debate in early February 2026, as leading international sports bodies signaled a potential easing of restrictions on Russia, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. This controversy centred on two key issues: the participation of a small group of Russian “neutral” athletes at the Olympics and calls from FIFA President Gianni Infantino to lift football’s ban on Russia.
IOC Permits Russian Athletes Under “Neutral” Status
At the Milan-Cortina Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed a limited contingent of 13 Russian athletes and 7 Belarusians to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” (AINs). This designation bars them from representing their country with flags, anthems, or national colors, and excludes them from the opening ceremony’s parade of nations. All athletes and their teams are also subject to a vetting process to ensure they are not active supporters of the war in Ukraine or contracted to state military or security agencies.
However, this framework was immediately questioned. Reports emerged that some of the approved Russian AIN athletes had documented links to pro-war activities, including social media endorsements, performances for military families, and training in occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials and athletes, such as skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, argued this undermined the neutrality principle and called for a review. The IOC maintained that the eligibility panel reviewed athletes according to its established principles.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry, speaking at an IOC summit in Milan, framed the decision in broader terms. Without naming Russia, she emphasized that the Olympics are a sports organization that must remain “a neutral ground” for all athletes, separate from political divisions.
FIFA President Advocates for Lifting Russia Football Ban
Parallel to the Olympic debate, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a direct call to reinstate Russia into international football. In a 3 February interview, Infantino stated the ban, imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, “has not achieved anything” and “has just created more frustration and hatred”. He argued that allowing Russian youth teams to play in Europe would help foster dialogue.
The Kremlin welcomed Infantino’s comments, while they provoked a furious response from Ukraine. Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi labelled the remarks “irresponsible” and “infantile,” stating they “detach football from the reality in which children are being killed”. He noted that over 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, including more than 100 footballers, have been killed since the war began.
The European Union also voiced opposition. A European Commission spokesperson stated that “letting aggressors return to global football as if nothing happened ignores real security risks and deep pain caused by the war”. The ultimate authority to reinstate Russia in European competitions lies with UEFA, whose executive committee was scheduled to meet on 11 February. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has previously stated that Russia’s return could only be considered once the war ends.
References:
- Deutsche Welle. “FIFA boss Infantino wants Russia to return to football.” dw.com, 3 Feb. 2026, https://www.dw.com/en/fifa-boss-infantino-wants-russia-to-return-to-football/a-75780962 .
- The New York Times. “Russia’s Time as a Sporting Pariah May Be Coming to an End.” nytimes.com, 7 Feb. 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/world/europe/russia-olympics-sports-sanctions-ukraine.html .
- EUobserver. “EU calls foul on FIFA’s Russia reinstatement bid.” euobserver.com, 6 Feb. 2026, https://euobserver.com/201841/eu-calls-foul-on-fifas-russia-reinstatement-bid/ .
- ESPN. “Ukraine leader blasts Gianni Infantino bid to lift FIFA’s Russia ban.” espn.com, 3 Feb. 2026, https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47814553/ukraine-leader-blasts-gianni-infantino-bid-lift-fifa-russia-ban .
- The Sunday Guardian. “Why Is Russia Banned From the 2026 Winter Olympics?” sundayguardianlive.com, 6 Feb. 2026, https://sundayguardianlive.com/sports/why-is-russia-banned-from-the-2026-winter-olympics-hockey-tournament-168840/ .
- BBC Sport. “Infantino ‘infantile’ for wanting to lift Russia ban.” bbc.com, 3 Feb. 2026, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c2053zn21e1o .
- BBC Sport. “Russian athletes linked to pro-war activity.” bbc.co.uk, 6 Feb. 2026, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cd0yme0pgldo .
- ESPN. “Gianni Infantino favors lifting FIFA’s ban on Russia.” espn.co.uk, 3 Feb. 2026, https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/47807747/gianni-infantino-favors-lifting-fifa-competition-ban-russia .
- The Kyiv Independent. “As Russians and Belarusians compete at Olympics, Ukraine pushed to the margins.” kyivindependent.com, 6 Feb. 2026, https://kyivindependent.com/as-global-sports-ease-sanctions-on-russia-and-belarus-attention-turns-to-olympics/ .
- USA Today. “Is Russia in the Olympics? Breaking down the ban and ‘neutral’ athletes.” usatoday.com, 6 Feb. 2026, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/06/russia-winter-olympics-neutral-athletes-milan-cortina/88482362007/ .
