Pakistan, Jan. 2 -- Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, even if the Ukraine war ends. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry confirmed the decision, saying Russians can only compete as neutral individual athletes.

The IOC banned Russia and Belarus after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Coventry reiterated that Russian athletes cannot use their national flag or anthem during the February games. Belarusians face the same restrictions. This policy ensures the Olympics remain politically neutral while addressing ongoing conflict concerns.

Coventry told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the rules will not change, even ...