BBC: Some Russian athletes are authorized to compete as neutrals at the Winter Olympics, involved in activities supporting the war.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the participation of 13 Russian athletes in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina as neutral athletes, but recent investigations suggest that some of them have actively supported the war in Ukraine.

The eligibility assessment of the athletes was carried out by an IOC committee, which excluded athletes with pro-war activities. However, evidence presented by BBC Sport indicates that athletes such as Petr Gumennik and Savelii Korostelev have links to supporting the war. Additionally, an IOC committee member, Morinari Watanabe, was caught wearing the uniform of a sanctioned Russian gymnast for his involvement in the war effort. The flag bearer for Ukraine at the ceremony, Vladyslav Heraskevych, has called for a review of the eligibility criteria. The IOC stated that it cannot comment on individual cases but confirmed that assessments were conducted according to established principles.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian athletes have been banned from participating in international competitions, but the IOC has created a pathway for them to compete as neutrals, provided they do not support the war.