The Russian authorities have abandoned the possibility of holding alternative Olympic Games in 2026 in Milan-Cortina. Now this option is excluded, although earlier such events were considered due to the absence of athletes from Russia in international competitions.
The Winter Olympics-2026 will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22. Currently, only three Russians have managed to qualify in a neutral status, as the Council of the International Ski Federation decided not to allow Russians and Belarusians to qualify.
The FIS Council voted to exclude athletes in individual neutral status (AIN) from the qualifying events for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games 2026 in Milan. The AIN status was developed by the International Olympic Committee as a possible way for athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the qualifying events for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games 2026. At the same time, each international federation retains the right to independently decide whether to allow these athletes to qualify or not.
It is also worth noting that Russian speed skater Daniil Naidenishev, recognized as a neutral athlete by the International Skating Union (ISU), supports the Russian occupier Mikhail Lebedev through social networks. This became known from his Instagram, where he is a follower of Lebedev, who is participating in the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian interests may be violated in international competitions due to the decision not to allow Russians and Belarusians to qualify. Athletes from Russia and Belarus who would have passed the sports selection process could participate in the Winter Olympic Games in a transitional status.