The IOC has banned carrying the Russian flag on the stands at the 2026 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to ban the use of Russian symbols in the stands during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. This was reported on January 7 by the Swedish radio station Sveriges Radio with reference to the IOC letter.

"The Russian flag and other symbols associated with Russia will be banned during the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina," the article says.

It is noted that this decision applies to all countries, athletes from which can participate in the Games only in a neutral status. The issue became relevant after the Russian flag appeared in the stands during the Tour de Ski.

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On December 11, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) allowed Russian Paralympians to participate in all federation competitions with the national flag and anthem. FIS representatives noted that participation would be organized "under the same conditions as those recommended by the International Paralympic Committee, without applying the AIN framework."

On December 10, two—time Olympic hockey champion and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Fetisov criticized the FIS decision to allow only two Russian skiers to qualify for the Olympics, saying that such actions were an attempt to split the Russian national team and the entire Russian sports community. He noted that allowing two athletes is "a real mockery" and unfair to the rest of the athletes.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.