Russian skaters Olga Fatkulina, Angelina Golikova and Daria Kachanova.Toru Hanai / AP / TASS
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the landscape for Russian athletes remains one of the most controversial topics in international sports.
While the official list is subject to change as the Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel (AINERP) continues its vetting process, several high-profile names and categories have emerged for the 2026 Games.
Adeliia Petrosian AP Photo
1. Figure Skating: The Spotlight on Adeliia Petrosian
The most notable inclusion is Adeliia Petrosian. As a dominant force in Russian figure skating, Petrosian has officially accepted her invitation to compete as an AIN.
* Category: Women’s Singles.
* The Stakes: Russia has historically dominated this event. However, with only one female spot currently allocated to Russian AINs in figure skating, the competition to even reach the Games was a “civil war” within the Russian training camps.
2. Bobsleigh and Skeleton
In December 2025, the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) cleared a group of Russian athletes to begin the final qualification phases.
* Bobsleigh: Liubov Chernykh and Sofiia Stepushkina are among the women cleared to compete.
* Skeleton: Athletes like Viktoriia Fettel, Alena Frolova, and Polina Kniazeva have been vetted for AIN status.
3. Cross-Country Skiing and Speed Skating
The IOC and individual federations (like FIS and ISU) have opened narrow pathways for “neutral” qualification. While the numbers are significantly lower than the 200+ athletes Russia sent to Beijing 2022, a handful of female cross-country skiers and speed skaters have met the initial neutrality and performance criteria.
To compete in Milano Cortina, these women must adhere to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding national identity:
* No National Symbols: No Russian flags, emblems, or the colors white, blue, and red on uniforms.
* The “Teal” Flag: Instead of the Russian tricolor, they compete under a teal flag with a circular AIN emblem.
* A Custom Anthem: If an AIN wins gold, a specially commissioned instrumental anthem is played—not the Russian national anthem.
* No Team Events: Russian women are barred from team figure skating, relay races in skiing, and ice hockey.
* Vetting for War Support: Any athlete who has “actively supported” the war in Ukraine or has contracts with the Russian military/national security agencies (such as the CSKA sports club) is automatically disqualified.
What the Athletes Think: Anger, Resignation, and Resolve
The reaction from Russian female athletes has been a mix of heartbreak and defiance. Because speaking out too strongly against the IOC can lead to disqualification, and speaking out against the Russian state can lead to trouble at home, many are walking a razor-thin line.
“Competing with Anger”
Some athletes have expressed that the restrictions serve as fuel. In various interviews leading up to 2026, the sentiment has often been: “If we can’t represent our flag, we will represent our power.” There is a widespread feeling that they are being “punished for their passports.”
The “Betrayal” Narrative
Within Russia, many former Olympians and coaches have called the AIN status “humiliating.” Some athletes chose to boycott the Games entirely rather than sign the IOC’s “Conditions of Participation,” which includes a commitment to the “peace mission of the Olympic Movement.”
The Silent Majority
For many younger athletes, like the 18-year-old Petrosian, the focus remains purely on the sport. For them, a four-year Olympic cycle is a lifetime; they view the AIN status as a necessary—if painful—price to pay to ensure their hard work doesn’t go to waste.
Summary Table: Russian Women at Milano Cortina 2026
Adeliia Petrosian -Figure Skating- Invitation Accepted
Liubov Chernykh – Bobsleigh – Cleared / Qualifying
Sofiia Stepushkina – Bobsleigh – Cleared / Qualifying
Viktoriia Fettel – Skeleton – Cleared / Qualifying
Alena Frolova – Skeleton – Cleared / Qualifying
Stay Updated on the 2026 Winter Games
As the AINERP panel continues to review social media history and military ties, the list of eligible athletes may fluctuate right up until the Opening Ceremony.
Important to note that Adeliia Petrosian is going to be a contender to Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics set to take place in February.
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