The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not issued a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in the Winter Youth Olympic Games. An IOC spokesperson, cited through TASS, indicated that for the moment no neutral athletes had qualified to compete in the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, and that no additional decisions had been announced yet.
According to reports from Soviet sport outlets, the IOC’s position has been that Russians would not be allowed to participate in the Winter Youth Games. The fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games were scheduled to take place in South Korea in 2024, with Gangwon-do serving as the host region from January 19 to February 2.
Earlier in February 2022, the IOC issued a directive to international sports federations, recommending that Russian and Belarusian athletes not be permitted to compete in any events. This guidance reflected the IOC’s stance at that time on athletes from those nations competing in international competitions.
At the IOC Executive Committee meeting held on March 28, 2023, discussions included the possibility of allowing Russians to compete under neutral status, provided the athletes were not actively involved in supporting military operations. This approach aimed to separate athletic participation from any ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In prior statements, there were criticisms directed at the IOC’s handling of Russia’s participation in Olympic sport, with some voices arguing that the organization’s leadership had pressured or worn on the issues surrounding Russia’s involvement. These comments reflect ongoing debates about how best to balance sport, neutrality, and international diplomacy during times of conflict.