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IOC Bars Russia and Belarus from Competing as National Teams at Beijing 2022

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 19:39 GMT by The Independent

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Russia and Belarus face new restrictions at the Beijing Winter Olympics – what it means for the figure‑skating world

The Beijing Winter Games have been marred by a cascade of geopolitical and sporting controversies, none more headline‑making than the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bar the Russian Federation and Belarus from competing as national teams. The ruling, which was announced in a press release on 23 January 2022, has left thousands of athletes in limbo – including a sizeable contingent of figure skaters – and has reshaped the competitive landscape of the Games.

The roots of the ban

The IOC’s decision was driven by two intertwined crises:

1. The doping scandal – Russia’s State Anti‑Doping Agency (RUSADA) was found to have manipulated data and covered up doping violations. The World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) had issued a 10‑year ban on Russia from all major sporting events, which the IOC could not ignore.

2. The war in Ukraine – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 intensified international pressure on sporting bodies to distance themselves from the regime. The IOC, led by President Thomas Bach, announced that it would not invite the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) or the Belarus Olympic Committee (BOC) to the Games.

Under the terms of the ban, Russian and Belarusian athletes may not compete under their national flags, but they are allowed to participate under a neutral banner – “Olympic Athletes from Russia” (OAR) and “Olympic Athletes from Belarus” (OAB) – if they can prove they are free of doping and not associated with the national sporting authorities. The IOC also stipulated that coaches, officials, and federation representatives must be excluded.

How the figure‑skating field is reshaped

Figure skating is one of the most celebrated disciplines of the Winter Olympics, and the absence of Russia – a perennial powerhouse – is felt acutely. The IOC’s regulations cut across all disciplines:

• Singles and Pairs – Russian singles skaters such as Kamila Valieva (who won a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships) and the pairs team of Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov cannot compete, even as neutrals. The same applies to Belarusian skaters, although Belarus has historically had a smaller presence in figure skating.
• Ice Dance – The Russian dance duo of Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov, who were the 2021 World champions, are also barred. No Belarusian dance teams were on the Games roster to begin with.
• Team Event – The IOC’s policy means the Russian and Belarusian teams can no longer enter the mixed‑gender team competition, which typically features skaters from each gender and discipline.

Because of the ban, the field of competitors shrank considerably. Skaters who previously might have faced stiff Russian competition now find themselves in a field dominated by athletes from the United States, Canada, Japan, and a few other nations.

The neutral athlete loophole

While the ban is strict, the IOC has created a narrow pathway for athletes to still compete. Under the “neutral athlete” status, competitors must satisfy a rigorous set of requirements:

1. Clear doping record – They must provide an unblemished doping history for the preceding 18 months, verified by a neutral anti‑doping agency.
2. No ties to national federations – They must not be active members of their national federation’s executive or coaching staff.
3. Independent support team – They can bring only a limited number of coaches and staff, all of whom must be vetted by the IOC.
4. Uniform restrictions – They compete in a blank white uniform with a gold “Olympic” logo and no national colors or symbols.

A handful of athletes from Russia have pursued this route. For instance, ice dancer Anastasia Skoptsova, formerly part of the national pair with Alexander Smirnov, applied for neutral status and has a chance to compete. However, the process is cumbersome, and many athletes have chosen to defer their Olympic dreams to the next cycle.

The ripple effect on the Games’ schedule and broadcast

The absence of Russia and Belarus has had logistical implications as well. In Beijing, the organizers had to rearrange certain pairings and adjust the qualification criteria for the short and free programs. Broadcasters, such as Eurosport and NBC, also had to adjust their commentary scripts and marketing material to reflect the new roster. The overall medal count predictions were reshuffled; analysts now expect a higher medal haul for the United States and Canada.

A look ahead

While the IOC’s decision was rooted in immediate concerns, it also signals a longer‑term shift. Future Winter Games will likely see stricter oversight of national federations and tighter enforcement of anti‑doping rules. The figure‑skating community, which prides itself on technical mastery and artistic expression, will need to navigate a new competitive order.

At the same time, the neutral athlete policy provides a glimmer of hope for those individuals who have proven themselves outside the reach of national politics. If they can meet the stringent criteria, they may still enjoy the thrill of performing on the world’s biggest ice rink – albeit without the cheers of their home crowd.

In sum, the IOC’s ban on Russia and Belarus has left an indelible mark on the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. It reshaped the figure‑skating competition, altered the Games’ narrative, and underscored the intersection of sport, politics, and ethics in the modern era. For fans and athletes alike, the Games remain a testament to resilience – and a reminder that the Olympic spirit must also adapt to the world beyond the arena.