• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Hardly Any Russians Are Set to Compete at the Paris Olympics

  • Athletes from Russia and Belarus have to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” in Paris.
  • The IOC banned those two countries after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Chafing under what they say is an onerous vetting process, hardly any Russian athletes will be competing at this summer’s Olympics, which are set to open in Paris in just over two weeks. 

Only 16 Russian athletes are currently scheduled to participate in the Summer Games, according to Reuters.

More Russian athletes than that won gold medals in Tokyo three years ago, when 335 athletes competed under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee.

Since 2016, Russian athletes have been under a partial Olympic ban due to the country’s state-sponsored doping scheme. This year’s ban is about the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Athletes from Russia—and Belarus, which has allied itself with Russia in the Ukraine war—have to be cleared by an International Olympic Committee board to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes” at this summer’s Olympics.

In March, the IOC established the board to vet every qualified Russian and Belarusian athlete. To be cleared to compete, the athletes cannot:

  • “actively support the war” in Ukraine
  • be “contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies”
  • display any national symbols of either country once in Paris

The vetting process has tripped up scores of athletes from both countries, infuriating Russian athletes and officials. In April, legendary wrestler Abdulrashid Sadulaev was banned from the Games after the review board “found new information about his support of the Ukraine-Russia war.” 

Last week, the Russian Wrestling Federation said that the 10 wrestlers who were cleared would not compete in Paris. “Any sane person understands that the status of the Olympic Games as the most significant sporting event is being questioned, and wrestling competitions without Russian athletes will be incomplete, and the champions will not receive the satisfaction of winning the Olympic tournament,” the federation said in a statement.

In all, 20 of the 36 cleared athletes, including stars in tennis and cycling, are refusing to compete, according to Reuters. Russian officials claim that “athletes have the right to make all decisions independently.”

With Russian participation heavily limited, organizers have reported that the country has been repeatedly attacking the Games. Last month, a widely circulated fake video contained a “CIA warning” about violence at the Olympics. An investigation organized by Microsoft found that the video had Russian origins.

Russia and Belarus are not the only countries under pressure for their participation in the Olympics. Palestinian athletes and advocates have called for similar restrictions to be placed on Israel in Paris over its prosecution of the war in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinian athletes and sports officials have been killed in the war, local officials say. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
Dave Checketts

Ex-Knicks President: When David Stern Accused Me of Skirting Cap

The Knicks walked away clean when accused of cap circumvention in the 1990s.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Jan 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Wells Fargo Center

Golden Knights Add Hockey Canada Trial’s Carter Hart

Hart is the only acquitted player to sign with an NHL team.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:
October 9, 2025

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC sits during a break in their TGL golf match against Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
October 13, 2025

Latest Tiger Woods Surgery Bad News for TGL, PGA Tour Champions

Woods is recovering from his seventh back surgery in 11 years.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.