Veronika Stepanova, the 2022 Olympic champion in cross-country skiing, argued that Russian athletes might find little value in traveling to the Olympic Games if all the key criteria are met. Her remarks, carried by Match TV, underscored a broader tension about participation under sanctions and the logistics of competing under a neutral banner.
Stepanova expressed skepticism about the role of athletes when they lack a robust support system. She suggested that if athletes are treated merely as visitors rather than competitors with full backing, they could risk being seen as mere tourists. Her point highlighted the friction between national pride and the restrictions that many Russian athletes face, implying that some sanctions and political rhetoric may overshadow athletic achievement. She questioned what purpose there would be in competing under conditions that many perceive as humiliating, particularly if the aim is to appease critics who portray Russia as weakened by sanctions. (Source: Match TV)
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin addressed the Eastern Economic Forum, noting on September 12 that athletes themselves should decide whether to participate in the Olympics, framing the choice as a personal one that reflects the athletes’ own assessment of circumstances and national interests.
Earlier in 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance recommending that Russian and Belarusian athletes refrain from competition in international events, a stance that reflected the ongoing geopolitical tensions and sanctions surrounding Russia. This guidance set the tone for how foreign federations and events approached participation from Russian athletes amid the sanctions landscape.
At a later IOC Executive Committee meeting on March 28, 2023, a proposal emerged to allow Russians to compete under a neutral status provided they were not actively involved in support for military operations. Some sports federations even invited Russians to sign declarations of neutrality as a condition for entry to tournaments. This move aimed to distinguish athletic competition from broader political affiliations while addressing concerns about the integrity of international sport.
Irina Rodnina, a three-time Olympic champion in figure skating, voiced a cautious stance, suggesting that competing under such conditions would be less than ideal and that athletes might be better off not participating than to accept perceived indignities. Her view added to a spectrum of opinions among Russian sports figures about how to balance competitive opportunity with national sentiment and international expectations. (Attribution: Match TV and various IOC communications)