IOC says Russians allowed at 2026 Winter Olympics under neutral flag | Sports

MILAN, Italy, Sept 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced that athletes from Russia will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics under a neutral banner if they meet strict conditions. "The Executive Board will take the exact same approach that was done in Paris," said IOC president Kirsty Coventry, referring to last year's Olympics where Russian athletes could only take part under a neutral flag and in individual events. The athletes were also required to undergo checks to prove they did not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any links with the army. The sanctions were introduced in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The decision taken at a...