Controversial IOC member assessed the chances of Russians participating in the Olympics.

Russian athletes may participate in the Winter Olympic Games under neutral status

The president of the Russian Tennis Federation and IOC member Shamil Tarpishchev believes that there are currently great chances for Russian athletes to participate in the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in 2026. Tarpishchev stated that federations of various sports support the participation of Russians under a neutral flag.

The IOC previously stated that when making a decision about the admission of Russians to the Olympic Games, it will consider the external political situation. The issue of admitting Russian athletes to the upcoming Olympics will be discussed at the IOC executive committee meetings in September and December.

«There is great hope that the Ukrainian sanctions against me will be lifted, but I will not rejoice in this – no one will benefit from it,» Tarpishchev said.

Recently, it became known that Mira Andreeva, a Russian tennis player, supported the pro-Putin organization «People's Front», which caused outrage on social media. Her likes on publications by Anton Yendzhievsky, a person from the sanctions organization, raised concerns among many users.

Shamil Tarpishchev believes in the possibility of Russian athletes participating in the Winter Olympic Games under a neutral flag, and a decision regarding this will be made after the IOC executive committee meetings in September and December. The news also mentions the controversial behavior of Russian tennis player Mira Andreeva, which has caused an uproar on social media. In the end, the quote from the president of the Russian Tennis Federation underscores his position even in connection with the possible lifting of sanctions.

From the latest statements by the president of the Russian Tennis Federation, it can be understood that the chances for Russian athletes to participate in the Winter Olympic Games under neutral status are quite high. Additionally, a well-known scandal related to the support of a pro-Putin organization by a Russian tennis player has raised outrage among social media users.