Ukraine's government has firmly rejected any discussion about Russian and Belarusian athletes returning to compete under their national flags at next year's Winter Olympic Games. The strong position comes from Ukrainian Youth and Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi, who declared it premature to consider such moves while the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues.
Strict Conditions for Russian Participation
As the situation currently stands, athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports face significant restrictions for the upcoming Winter Games. They may only participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs), with each case undergoing rigorous review to ensure no previous support for the war effort. Furthermore, Russian and Belarusian teams, particularly in sports like ice hockey, face complete bans from competition.
All national symbols, including flags, anthems, and any other identifiers, will be strictly prohibited at Olympic venues. This maintains the current international sporting stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Ukraine's Struggle to Compete Amid War
The ongoing war has devastated Ukraine's sports infrastructure and training capabilities. According to the Ministry of Sport, approximately 800 sports facilities across the country have sustained damage since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. This destruction has forced the vast majority of Ukrainian athletes to prepare for international competitions abroad.
Minister Bidnyi highlighted the particular challenges facing winter sports, noting that facilities like ice arenas require stable electricity flow, which remains unreliable due to ongoing Russian attacks. He revealed that while 18 Ukrainian athletes have qualified for the Games so far, the nation hopes to send around 40 athletes to the Milan-Cortina competition.
Call for International Unity and Justice
When questioned about whether a potential peace deal could change the stance on suspended athletes, Bidnyi remained unwavering. "I think it's too early to talk about it," he stated. "We have a lot of killed coaches and athletes, we have had a lot of losses because of the war, because of Russia. I think we are too far from the final position where we can say that justice was achieved."
The minister expressed concern about the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) controversial decision to lift the ban on Russian and Belarusian symbols for the Paralympic Winter Games, calling the move "strange." He urged all international sporting bodies to maintain strong support for Ukraine.
Bidnyi asserted that before any negotiations about reintegrating Russian and Belarusian athletes should begin, several conditions must be met. These include a strong, verifiable ceasefire and the allocation of reconstruction funds to Ukraine. "Everybody should understand the war is not politics, the war is a crime," Bidnyi emphasized. "And if you make crime, I think you can't be allowed to have an international stage or justify your crime."
Despite the tremendous challenges, Bidnyi views Ukrainian participation in major events as a powerful symbol of strength and hope. He sees athletes traveling to the Games as an opportunity to demonstrate the nation's resilience and enduring spirit to the world.
