The MOV lobbies for the return of Russians and Belarusians. Wants to let them go at the Winter Olympics 2026

BRATISLAVA. Is the pride of Russian sport. At the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, he enjoyed ovation in the Skiathlon on the finish line and waved the flag. The rivals were in sight.

He dominated the race completely. In Russia, the triumph of Alexander Bolšunov melted. Silver took another Russian Spitsov. Norwegians ended without a medal.

However, Russian ski runners at international events did not compete since Beijing games. A few days after the Olympics, the war began in Ukraine and the sports federations excluded them from the competitions.

MOV wants to get back to

It was only a few months ago that they started to go to Italy in silence and train on the Olympic lines as if they were quietly preparing to return.

Bolshunov even joined the public race and won.

“It is difficult to maintain motivation. Most importantly, I managed to get to these races. I was given permission directly from Donald Trump, ”joked the Russian racer.

It still cannot start at the International Ski Federation (FIS) competitions. Nothing has changed. However, it is also clear from the words of his coach Yuri Borodavka that training in Italy is not accidental.

“It is not possible to prepare for the Olympics in half a year. You have to prepare yourself now and ideally at a reasonable altitude, as the Olympic Games will be, ”Borodavko said.

The Russians and Belarusians have not been closer to the competition from the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In skiing and biathlon. Swedish television SVT She found that the International Olympic Committee was lobbying behind the scenes.

15 Russian and 17 Belarusian athletes competed at the Summer Games in Paris with neutral status. The IOC points to this example. He is interested in making representatives of both countries the opportunity to qualify for games in Milan and Cortine.

They want to open their way to qualifying

That is why the IOC is in contact with the International Biathlon Union and the Ski Federation. The key to at all can athletes from Russia and Belarus apply for a start at the Olympics, it is that they have to get into the qualification process. Therefore, the MOV speaks to open the door in biathlon and ski.

« It is not in the style of dictating to us, » You have to do this, otherwise you will lose your support.  »

But they were very clear that they wanted to find a solution so that (Russians and Belarusians – note) as neutral athletes could compete in winter games, ”said an unnamed official for SVT. « They want to achieve it as soon as possible to qualify for the Olympics. »

The IOC appeals to these negotiations by an example from Paris. The participation of Russians and Belaruses with neutral status is reported as a positive example.

These negotiations with the IOC were confirmed by the President of the Biathlon Union Olle Dahlin.

“They make great efforts to enable the participation of neutral athletes with the ability to qualify for winter games. They present that it would be good to have a similar solution in Milan and Cortine. But the decision to suspend Russia and Belarus, which is valid, is not something we talk about, ”Dahlin said.

The International Olympic Committee did not comment on the lobbying for the release of sanctions. However, in view of their activity, it can be expected that they will be advocated by the same model as in the case of the Olympic Games in Paris.

Even in the summer games, however, some sports federations stayed in their strict attitude to athletes from Russia and Belarus, such as world athletics.

IOC lobbying does not have to lead to the start of Bolshunov and his compatriots at the Olympics. However, it is clear that the IOC is advocating this and that it is rather a matter of time before it will present the same model of their participation as paid in Paris.

In the second half of March, the Olympic Movement will also elect a new president. Until then, there will probably be no official decision on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the winter games of 2026.