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Russian “Neutral” Olympians Cleared for Winter Games Despite Links to Pro-War Activities
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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Several Russian athletes, cleared to compete as neutrals at the upcoming Winter Olympics, have faced scrutiny over their ties to activities supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to an investigation by BBC Sport, published on February 4.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved 13 Russian athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), after a thorough review to ensure they have not actively supported the war.
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However, concerns have been raised about some of the athletes’ associations with pro-war figures, including connections to Russian officials and military-backed figures, according to BBC Sport.
Among the athletes named, Petr Gumennik, a figure skater, and Savelii Korostelev, a cross-country skier, have been linked to individuals with pro-war stances or affiliations with Russian military organizations.
Additionally, Kseniia Korzhova and Dariya Nepryaeva have faced criticism for supporting military-related figures or attending training camps in Ukrainian Crimea, which has been occupied by Russian forces since 2014.
Similarly, Ukrainian officials had previously criticized the International Judo Federation (IJF) for allowing Russian athletes to compete under their national flag.
The IOC’s neutrality framework has faced legal and ethical challenges, with some international sports bodies, including the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), attempting to bar these athletes. However, the IOC has upheld the criteria for neutral participation, BBC Sport wrote.
Despite the scrutiny, the IOC maintains that all athletes meet the established criteria for neutrality, including no active support for the war and no ties to the Russian military.
Earlier, it was reported that Russian and Belarusian athletes would not compete at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, despite the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifting its suspension on both countries.
