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Russian athletes cleared as neutrals despite war links
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved 13 Russian athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games, but evidence suggests some have ties to activities supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.
IOC vetting process under scrutiny
The IOC's three-person panel assessed eligibility based on criteria excluding active war support, including social media activity or participation in pro-war events. However, investigations by the Molfar Intelligence Institute and journalist Artem Khudolieiev reveal potential gaps in the screening process.
One panel member, Morinari Watanabe-president of World Gymnastics-was filmed embracing Russian gymnast Nikita Nagorny in Moscow this March. Nagorny, sanctioned by the UK, EU, and U.S. for his role in deporting Ukrainian children, has been a vocal war supporter. Watanabe's organization stated his visit aimed to support athletes on both sides of the conflict but declined to comment on the panel's decisions.
Evidence of athletes' pro-war connections
BBC Sport verified links between four approved athletes and pro-war activities:
- Petr Gumennik (figure skating): Trained by Ilya Averbukh, a sanctioned coach who has promoted events in occupied Ukrainian territories and performed for Russian military families.
- Savelii Korostelev (cross-country skiing): Liked pro-Putin and pro-military content on Instagram and was described as an "army skier" by his club, CSKA, which is affiliated with Russia's armed forces.
- Kseniia Korzhova (speed skating): Liked pro-war posts by sanctioned gymnast Nikita Nagorny.
- Dariya Nepryaeva (cross-country skiing): Attended a 2022 training camp in Russian-annexed Crimea, broadcast by state media.
Ukraine's Olympic Committee has formally raised concerns about Gumennik and Korzhova with the IOC. None of the athletes responded to requests for comment.
Ukrainian athletes criticize neutrality rules
Skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, Ukraine's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, argued the IOC's framework fails to ensure true neutrality. "Supporting the war on social media or training in occupied territories-these athletes aren't neutral," he said. Heraskevych previously held a "No War" sign at the Beijing Games.
The IOC stated it could not discuss individual cases but confirmed the panel reviewed athletes "in accordance with established principles."
Broader context of Russian participation
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been barred from many international competitions. The IOC's neutral pathway, introduced for the Paris 2024 Olympics, requires athletes to prove no active war support or military contracts. At Milan-Cortina, 13 Russians and seven Belarusians will compete across eight sports, excluding team events like ice hockey and curling.
Russia's Sports Minister, Mikhail Degtyarev, defended the athletes, stating they "should not be held responsible for governmental decisions." Separate reports suggest Korostelev may have been fulfilling compulsory military service rather than enlisting voluntarily.
Controversies in other sports
Under Watanabe's leadership, World Gymnastics has allowed Russian athletes to return as neutrals, including Angelina Melnikova, who posed with the pro-war "Z" symbol and ran in elections for Putin's United Russia party. The federation emphasized that eligibility decisions are made by an "independent committee" with external background checks.
