• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 22, 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

Tom Dundon
exclusive

Sale of Trail Blazers to Tom Dundon Will Take Multiple Years to..

Dundon is buying the team at a $4.25 billion valuation.
Oct 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to drive against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.

Welcome to Kinder, Gentler NBA Media Coverage

The media mantra for this season will be: Celebrate and educate.

NBC Made Its NBA Return Feel Big

From the nostalgia to Jordan getting personal, NBC hit the right chords.

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
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
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Keegan Murray
October 21, 2025

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.
Malonga
October 21, 2025

Turkish Dispute Could Cloud French Star’s Return to WNBA 

Fenerbahçe needs to give Dominique Malonga a “letter of clearance.”
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Jamier Brown
October 21, 2025

Judge Temporarily Allows Ohio High Schoolers to Make NIL Deals

Most states do not restrict high school NIL deals.
October 21, 2025

Nicklaus Wins $50M Defamation Lawsuit Over False LIV Golf Claims

The legendary golfer sued his former company.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) hands off the ball in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
October 20, 2025

Mac Jones, Daniel Jones Cash In on Big Incentive Money

Both quarterbacks have hit big contract incentives just halfway through the season.