Three-time Olympic champion in figure skating Irina Slutskaya participated in a discussion on Alla Shishkina’s YouTube channel Thirsty, where she reflected on whether Russian athletes should be part of the Paris Games. Slutskaya’s remarks touched on the symbolism of competing under the banner of the Russian Federation, a phrase she said carries a certain elegance and importance, and she expressed frustration that athletes may be barred from the Olympics for political reasons. She asserted that Russian athletes deserve a place on the world stage whenever possible and that their performances should be judged by the eyes of the public rather than the politics surrounding them. Her words emphasized a belief in recognizing and supporting Russian sports heroes on the Olympic stage, regardless of the surrounding controversy, while acknowledging the complexity of the situation and the potential for backlash from various quarters. Slutskaya conveyed a sense of duty to her compatriots and a conviction that the athletes should be allowed to represent their country if the opportunity to compete arises, insisting that their achievements speak for themselves.
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued guidance to international sports federations regarding participation by Russian and Belarusian athletes. The recommendation urged federations to exclude those athletes from competitions suspended or restricted due to the geopolitical context, signaling a broad move to limit participation while the situation remained unresolved. This stance reflected the IOC’s attempt to balance the integrity of Olympic values with the realities of international sanctions and safety considerations, a balance that many fans and officials closely watched as events unfolded worldwide [Citation: IOC communications, 2022].
The IOC subsequently made participation conditional on athletes signing updated terms of involvement, which required adherence to the Olympic Charter and a reaffirmation of the “peaceful mission of the Olympic movement.” The policy indicated that athletes who continued to rank highly in their sports could still compete, provided they met the stated conditions and demonstrated alignment with the Charter’s principles. This approach aimed to preserve the sporting framework while maintaining a firm stance on the broader political context and its impact on competition. Observers noted how such measures shaped national teams’ strategies and athletes’ preparations in the lead-up to major events [Citations: IOC updates, 2022].
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had criticized the IOC President, accusing him of betraying the ideals of Olympism. The exchange underscored how intertwined diplomatic relations and sport had become, with leaders signaling that decisions about Olympic participation extended beyond the rink and into the realm of international diplomacy. Throughout this period, commentators and former athletes debated the appropriateness and consequences of suspensions and conditional participation, weighing the integrity of the Games against the realities of global tensions and sanctions that affected athletes from multiple nations [Attribution: governmental and media coverage, 2022].