Ukraine’s flag-bearer at the Olympics accused Russian athletes of failing to remain neutral

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych questioned the fairness of Russian athletes receiving neutral status to compete at the 2026 Olympics.

He was quoted by the BBC.

“If you take into account that they trained for competitions in Crimea or supported the ‘special military operation’ on social media, calling them neutral athletes is definitely wrong. Because they are not,” Heraskevych said.

Earlier it became known that 13 Russian athletes who received invitations from the International Olympic Committeeagreed to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Olympics will take place from 6 to 22 February in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

In March 2022, the IOC recommended that international federations suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes. In December 2023, the organization recommended allowing Russian athletes to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in a neutral status. As a result, 15 Russian athletes went to France; they were forbidden from using Russian symbols, including the flag and anthem. On 19 September 2025, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the organization would keep the same approach to Russians’ participation in the Olympics.