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By Kate Nalepinski
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As the world prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, a major geopolitical flashpoint continues to shape the lineup of nations not permitted to compete.
Russia and Belarus remain sidelined from full participation due to their roles in the ongoing war in Ukraine, though viewers may still see athletes from both countries appear in the competition.
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Why Are Russia and Belarus Banned From the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) barred Russia and Belarus from competing as national delegations in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’s role in supporting those attacks. The ban follows the same rationale applied to their exclusion from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where both nations were prohibited from competing under their own flags due to their involvement in the war.
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The attack served as the escalation of a conflict that had begun in 2014 when Russia occupied Crimea and annexed it from Ukraine.
While the two countries are restrictedfrom competing under their national flags, identities, or anthems, some athletes from the countries may participate as Individual Neutral Athletes, or “AINs”, per the IOC executive board. The Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel (AINERP) will consider each athlete's Russian or Belarusian passport and additional criteria before they can be accepted as a participant in the Winter Games.
This requirement stems from the IOC’s October 2023 suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. After the IOC imposed sanctions against Russia, the ROC was stripped of its right to send athletes to the Games, and funding was cut.
List of All Countries Banned From Olympics Over the Years
Russia and Belarus are not the first countries barred from Olympic participation. At least 13 countries have faced bans throughout history, for reasons ranging from war involvement to apartheid to doping violations.
World War I and II Bans:
The earliest Olympic bans followed World War I, when Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey were excluded from the 1920 Games for their roles in the conflict. Germany’s ban continued through 1924. After World War II, Germany and Japan were again barred from participating in the 1948 Olympics.
Apartheid-Era Bans:
South Africa was banned from 1964 to 1992 due to its apartheid regime, making it one of the longest Olympic exclusions in history. South Africa returned for the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Doping Violations:
Over time, bans also reflected doping scandals, or when athletes are supplied with prohibited substances, like steroids, to boost performance. The IOC took the unprecedented step of banning Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics due to its state‑sponsored doping program, per History.com.
Modern-Era Bans:
More recently, Afghanistan was banned from the 2000 Olympics, as the Taliban prohibited women from participating in sports and prohibition of sports. Kuwait was temporarily suspended in 2015 for government interference in its national Olympic committee. Various nations have also been barred or otherwise restricted from competition for violating IOC rules, engaging in war, or undermining human rights standards.
Historically, the Olympics have served as a barometer of geopolitical behavior, restricting participation from countries whose actions violate the principle of peace in the Olympic Charter.
Where Are the Olympic Games Taking Place?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, mark a historic moment for the Games. Not only because Italy is hosting for the first time since Torino 2006, but because these Olympics will be taking place in multiple locations, with venues scattered across the Italian Alps and Dolomites.
The 2026 Games officially kick off with the opening ceremony, slated for Friday, February 6, at Milan's San Siro Stadium. Over the next few weeks, athletes will compete in eight sports and 15 disciplines. The sports include Biathlon, Bobsleigh (Skeleton, Bobsleigh), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating), Ski Mountaineering, and Skiing (Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard).
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