State Duma deputy and Olympic champion Svetlana Zhurova spoke about the latest statements from Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, regarding the admission of Russian athletes to international tournaments. Bach signaled opposition to the idea of treating Russian athletes as guilty by association, signaling a cautious path forward rather than blanket exclusions.
Zhurova emphasized that the current remarks do not settle the matter. She noted that the flag has not yet been returned and that the conditions could still impose restrictions that might force athletes to miss major events like the Olympic Games. She warned that the rhetoric suggests divisions among teams, potentially creating a split between athletes deemed eligible and those regarded as not eligible. Such a division would be detrimental to both athletes and the country as a whole. Her counsel was to focus on smart, strategic moves rather than fuel further controversy, quoting a reporter that suggested colleagues should avoid needless confrontation and allow the process to unfold without escalating tensions.
On January 25, the IOC announced it was examining the possibility of permitting Russian athletes who do not support the conduct of a special operation on Ukrainian territory to participate in international competition under a neutral flag. The move was framed as a pathway to participation without placing athletes in political positions, but it also drew scrutiny from Western nations seeking clear criteria for neutral status and how it would be verified.
By early February, a coalition of 35 countries had expressed opposition to Russia’s participation in the Paris Games during an online meeting, underscoring the ongoing political sensitivities surrounding eligibility and national representation in elite sport.
Former ice hockey star Igor Larionov added to the discourse by suggesting that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation should begin the process of withdrawing from the International Ice Hockey Federation, highlighting an avenue some national federations might consider in response to broader Olympic governance questions. This point reflects the wider debate about how Russia should engage with international sports bodies under evolving political and ethical expectations.