Investigation Exposes Russian Olympians Supporting War Against Ukraine
Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, analysts have identified 56 Russian athletes who, despite their “neutral” status, openly support Putin's regime and the war against Ukraine.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Champion.
Despite the “individually neutral athletes” status introduced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), there is growing evidence that a significant number of Russians preparing for the Games are not complying with the neutrality requirements.
According to analysts at the Molfar Intelligence Institute, the potential list of participants includes 56 Russian athletes who openly or indirectly support Russia's war against Ukraine.
In their profiles, analysts found numerous examples of loyalty to Putin's regime — from receiving presidential grants to serving in structures such as the Russian Guard or the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The report notes that among the “neutral” athletes are representatives of bobsleigh (26), skeleton (9), short track (6), ski mountaineering (5), speed skating (4), figure skating (4), and alpine skiing (2). Many of them have repeatedly appeared at propaganda events or publicly praised the actions of the Russian army on social media.
According to IOC rules, in order to obtain neutral athlete status, athletes from Russia or Belarus must avoid any political statements, not be associated with military structures, and sign an official “Declaration of Neutrality.”
The situation is complicated by the fact that international sports federations do not always support bans on Russian participation.
Moreover, the website War&Sanctions of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (HUR) reports that the list includes 177 individuals involved in these activities.
The participation of Russian athletes in international competitions serves to whitewash the image of the state, spread disinformation, and demonstrate its “presence” in the world community. At the same time, Russian officials in international sports federations remain an element of lobbying and influence outside the country.
The Gaze reported earlier that the International Fencing Federation (FIE) has cleared several Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia — including Sofya Velikaya, a major in the Russian Armed Forces and a high-profile political figure in Russia.