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≡ INTEL REPORT ≡
After being forced out of international sport almost entirely after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and then allowed back in in very limited fashion for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, December has been a good month for Russian sport:
● Russian swimmers were allowed to compete as “neutrals” at the World Aquatics 25 m Championships in Budapest (HUN) from 10-15 December and won 10 medals, including six golds, setting a world record in the men’s 4×100 m Medley relay.
● Last week, the International Skating Union decided to allow a very limited number of Russian athletes to participate in Olympic qualifying events (only) in the 2025-26 season in figure skating, speed skating and short track, subject to a review to ensure these athletes are not supporting the war against Ukraine.
However, there is hardly much joy among Russian sports officials about these openings. Said Russian sports minister and Russian Olympic Committee President Mikhail Degtyarev on Friday:
“The process of a full return to international sport will be difficult, but events such as the International Skating Union’s decision to allow our athletes to participate in the Olympic qualifications while still in neutral status, or the recent successful performance of Russian swimmers at the World Championships, are important steps along this path.
“This is definitely better than a final divorce and self-isolation.
“We will continue to develop this trend, supporting our athletes and systematically improving the conditions for their participation in international competitions. This process requires time, great effort and unity of our community.”
From a total ban in February 2022, following a request from the International Olympic Committee, Russian participation as “neutrals” has been allowed by several summer Olympic federations following a December 2023 IOC directive. Teams, however, have been banned entirely.
Russians qualified 48 athletes for Paris 2024 in eight sports – canoeing, cycling, gymnastics (trampoline), judo, swimming, taekwondo, tennis and wrestling – but after the IOC’s own “neutrality” review, a total of 15 Russian athletes were accepted in six sports: canoeing, cycling, gymnastics (trampoline), judo, swimming, taekwondo and tennis.
Now the regulations for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games are coming, with the ISU trying to get ahead of the process, even before the IOC speaks on the issue.
A complicating factor in all of this will be the IOC Presidential Election in March in Greece. Russian comments have indicated a preference for candidates such as cycling federation head David Lappartient (FRA) or gymnastics chief Morinari Watanabe (JPN), or veteran IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch, all seen as moderates on allowing Russian athletes to compete internationally once again.
But there is considerable worry that if World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR) is elected, that Russians will be banned entirely. Russian athletes continue to be banned from international track & field events.
Sports Minister Degtyarev is well aware of the possibilities.
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