Milano Cortina 2026: Russia Competes as Neutral Athletes Under AIN, ROC Remains Suspended
At Milano Cortina 2026, athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports compete under the Independent Neutral Athletes (AIN) banner rather than for Russia or Belarus as nations; AIN has its own teal flag and lyric-free anthem and includes some Belarusian competitors banned as a nation in Paris 2024. The ROC was suspended by the IOC in 2023 for actions violating the Olympic Charter and Ukraine’s territorial integrity, so Russian competitors participate under AIN instead of ROC; there are two figure skating quota spots for AIN athletes with Russian passports, but they cannot compete in team events.