The International Olympic Committee – IOC – has confirmed that Individual Neutral Athletes – AINs, athletes holding passports from Russia or Belarus, will be allowed to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games under the same conditions applied at Paris 2024. Their participation is based on the existing qualification systems overseen by the International Federations and on a strict set of individual eligibility requirements.
Each athlete is assessed by the Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel – AINERP – which evaluates both the athletes and their support personnel. The IOC retains the final authority to issue an individual invitation, subject to signing the Conditions of Participation and complying with the Olympic Charter, including the commitment to the peace mission of the Olympic Movement.
A framework built on strict eligibility criteria
Under the rules approved by the IOC, only athletes who qualify through sporting performance may compete as AINs. Team entries are not permitted, and any athlete or support staff member who has actively supported the war, or who is contractually linked to military or national security structures in their country, is automatically ineligible.
AINs must comply with all applicable anti-doping requirements and will compete under a neutral flag and anthem, as was the case at Paris 2024. During medal ceremonies, the AIN flag will be raised and a specially created, wordless anthem will be played. Medals won by AINs will not be included in the official National Olympic Committees medal standings.
The AINERP has begun releasing the first lists of eligible athletes. In figure skating, two quota places have been confirmed for athletes with Russian passports and one for an athlete from Belarus. Among those invited are Petr Gumennik, Adeliia Petrosian and Viktoriya Safonova, all declared eligible following review. The list will be updated progressively as quota places are confirmed through qualification events and as further decisions are issued by the panel. An individual IOC invitation remains a mandatory requirement for participation at Milano Cortina 2026.
Differences between federations in the application of the AIN framework
Although the IOC framework allows neutral participation, each International Federation retains the authority to accept or exclude AINs from its qualification processes. In October, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation – FIS – decided not to permit Russian or Belarusian athletes to take part as AINs in its qualification events for Milano Cortina 2026.
Other federations continue to apply their usual qualification systems and accept AIN participation, creating disparities between sports regarding access to the Olympic Games. As a result, despite IOC-approved eligibility, some athletes will not be able to compete if their federation does not allow them to enter qualification events.
Operational protocol during the Games
The IOC has established that AINs will not take part in the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony, as they are not competing as national teams. However, they will be offered a dedicated alternative to experience the event. Participation in the Closing Ceremony will be determined during the Games, in line with the traditional format in which athletes march together.
Monitoring of compliance with the Conditions of Participation will continue throughout the Games. Any behaviour considered contrary to the Olympic Charter, to the Principles of Participation or to the Milano Cortina 2026 regulations may be referred by the AINERP to the IOC Disciplinary Commission.
