Ukrainian Youth and Sports Minister, Matviy Bidnyi has stated that it is “too early” to discuss the possibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their nations’ flags at next year’s Winter Olympics, emphasizing that justice has not yet been achieved amid the ongoing conflict.
As it currently stands, athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports may only compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) at the Winter Games. Each case is rigorously reviewed to ensure no prior support for the war was demonstrated. Furthermore, Russian and Belarusian teams, such as in ice hockey, face a blanket ban from competition, and all national signifiers, including flags, will be prohibited at Olympic venues.
When asked whether an eventual peace deal could open the door for those suspended athletes to return, Bidnyi remained firm. “I think it’s too early to talk about it,” he said. “We (Ukraine) have a lot of issues with the preparation to competition. We have a lot of killed coaches and athletes, we have had a lot of losses because of the war, because of Russia. I think we are too far from the final position where we can say that justice was achieved.”
While international peace talks continue, the war has severely impacted Ukraine’s ability to prepare for major international competitions. According to the Ministry of Sport, 800 sports facilities across the country have now been damaged since the full-scale invasion started in 2022.
The vast majority of Ukrainian athletes must therefore train and prepare for the Winter Olympics abroad. Bidnyi noted that while 18 Ukrainian athletes have so far qualified for the Games, they hope to send around 40 athletes to the competition in Milan-Cortina.
“Of course, the facilities for winter sports need even more resources. It needs more electricity at least, for example, ice arenas need a stable electricity flow,” Bidnyi explained, adding that the number of damaged facilities increases almost every week due to Russian aggression.
Despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) upholding the suspension of Russian and Belarusian national symbols, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) controversially lifted the ban for the Paralympic Winter Games.
Bidnyi called the IPC’s decision “strange” and urged international sporting governing bodies to maintain their strong support of Ukraine. He argued that a strong ceasefire needs to be agreed upon and seen in practice, alongside funds being allocated to Ukraine for reconstruction, before negotiations regarding Russian and Belarusian athlete reintegration should even begin.
“Everybody should understand the war is not politics, the war is a crime,” Bidnyi asserted. “And if you make crime, I think you can’t be allowed to have an international stage or justify your crime… I think we must be more united on things, that sports is an important part of the international agenda.”
For Bidnyi, having Ukrainians compete at major events, despite the hardships, is a symbol of strength and hope. He views the athletes traveling to the Games as an opportunity to show the country’s resilience and power.
