Russia officially is banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics, but 13 athletes have qualified to compete as "neutral'' athletes. Here's how that works.

Russia and Belarus have been banned from the Olympics, but Russian and Belarussian athletes can still compete. Mark Schofield breaks down how they’ll represent themselves at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Nearly four years after Vladimir Putin launched Europe’s deadliest war since World War II, Russia remains banned by the IOC although individual Russians can compete in the Olympics as

BBC Sport finds evidence raising questions over the neutral eligibility of four Russian athletes.

No Russian and Belarusian flags, national anthems or uniforms will be permitted. Instead, the flag used will be the same teal-coloured one used at the 2026 Olympics. No state officials from these nations will be allowed into the Games, following the same rules put in place in 2024.

After a chaotic winter, a handful of Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed pathways to qualify for Milan Cortina.

Beating the Americans will feel even sweeter for the U.S.' top allies.

At the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, that superpower rivalry was on full display on the ice. The U.S. men’s ice hockey team — made up largely of college players and amateurs — faced off against the Soviet squad, a battle-hardened, gold medal-winning machine. The Americans weren’t supposed to stand a chance.

February 4, 2026 • NPR reporters visited the Milan Olympic Village in the days before the opening ceremony to investigate the dining hall dessert situation and other pressing questions. February 4, 2026 • The Winter Olympics bring hundreds of the world ...