Biathlete Eduard Latypov, a three-time bronze medalist at the 2022 Winter Games, weighed in on the potential for Russian athletes to return to international competition under neutral status.
On January 25, the International Olympic Committee indicated it was evaluating a pathway for Russian athletes who did not publicly support the Ukraine operation to compete again on the world stage, but under neutral designation.
Latypov cautioned that there is still a lack of clarity. He noted that while many opinions circulate, this is not yet a formal decision. He added that once a concrete procedure is in place for the possible return of Russian and Belarusian national teams, discussions will intensify and must be approached thoughtfully.
He stressed that the matter would be resolved through collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and the country’s sports federations. He expected room for dialogue and stressed that no one should push to publicly declare a personal stance and force an abrupt course of action. The decision, he argued, would affect the nation as a whole and carry significant consequences for every athlete and for Russia’s broader sporting identity.
Latypov remarked that current conversations feel like background noise, often more provocative than reassuring. He is waiting for concrete information and, in the meantime, continues training and maintaining optimistic plans for a potential return to the international arena, should conditions permit, with the hope that such a return could be responsibly managed by the sports community [citation: Championship.com].
Earlier, Jurgita Shyugzhdinene, the Lithuanian minister of education, science and sports, said in an online briefing that 35 countries opposed participation by Russia and Belarus at the 2024 Olympic Games. The list reportedly included the United States, Germany and Australia, highlighting ongoing concerns about competitive integrity and political considerations in sport.
Separately, Kamil Bortnichuk, a former Polish minister of sports and tourism, indicated that his country would consider leveraging its participation to pressure the IOC should Russian and Belarusian athletes compete. He signaled readiness to pursue a boycott if necessary to stand firm on principles surrounding the Games and regional sporting standards. These statements reflect a broader tension among national federations as they weigh competitive fairness against potential pathways for athletes to compete again on the world stage.