Russian and Belarusian athletes will not take part in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea. This decision was communicated by the International Olympic Committee through TASS, according to IOC statements.
According to the IOC, there will be no neutral athletes eligible to compete at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The event is scheduled to run in Gangwon-do from January 19 to February 2, with competitors aged 15 to 18 from around the world expected to participate.
At the Lausanne 2020 edition, the Russian team topped the medal table, securing 10 golds, 11 silvers, and 8 bronzes. Those results highlight the nation’s strong youth program and historical success at the Games.
On December 8, the IOC allowed Russian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games under a neutral status. Initial reports suggested eight Russians and three Belarusians would receive quotas, but a later IOC update clarified the numbers. The organization’s site now indicates six Russian and five Belarusian athletes have earned Olympic quotas.
In the same briefing, the IOC stressed that no flags, national anthems, or symbols representing Russia or Belarus will be displayed during the Games, and no government officials from either country will be invited to participate.
There have been broader repercussions in the region, with ongoing discussions about funding and participation in international sporting events in light of the evolving geopolitical situation. The IOC’s position underscores a strict separation of sport from political symbolism while maintaining a framework for neutral participation where applicable.
The situation continues to evolve as organizers, athletes, and national bodies respond to policy decisions and the practical implications for competition, eligibility, and ceremonial honors at major multi-sport events.