Overview
- Russia and Belarus remain suspended, yet 13 Russians and seven Belarusians have accepted invitations to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes without flags, anthems, team events, or Opening Ceremony participation.
- Global Athlete issued an open letter accusing the IOC of enabling Russian propaganda and claiming the neutrality vetting process is inadequate.
- Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi condemned any softening of restrictions as irresponsible and warned it risks legitimizing the invasion.
- Concern has grown after IOC guidance to allow Russian youth athletes to participate with flag and anthem at the Dakar Youth Olympics and World Aquatics’ move to lift its ban on Russian youth competitors.
- International federations have taken divergent paths, with some blocking qualification, others permitting neutrals, and several bans overturned at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.