Should Sports and Politics Intersect? The case of Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Russian skier Daria Nepryaeva at the 2025 Ski World Cup in Davos, Switzerland.

The Olympic Games make one of the strongest claims to political impartiality of any international event. The Olympic Charter emphasizes peace, unity, and international cooperation, presenting sport as a field apart from geopolitical conflict. Yet the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics once again challenge this ideal. The decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their national flags, only permitting some to participate as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), raises an enduring critical question: Should sports and politics intersect? 

While individual athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments, the reality is that international sports organizations operate under immense political and public pressure. The Milano Cortina example illustrates why political limits in sports are frequently viewed as essential to preserving public trust and global credibility. 

Why Russia and Belarus Became a Test Case

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC suggested banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions, citing Belarus' support for the attack. 

It was made clear that the decision was made reluctantly. While acknowledging that it was unfair to penalize athletes for decisions they did not make, the IOC argued that allowing full national representation would undermine the credibility of the Olympic Movement. 

The compromise was the AIN framework, which permits qualifying athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete without national symbols, flags, or anthems, but only if they have no affiliation with military institutions or have not publicly supported the war. This policy reflects an attempt to distinguish between state responsibility and individual athletic merit. The exclusion of high-profile athletes, especially NHL players such as Alexander Ovechkin, underscores how these decisions have genuine human consequences. Olympic windows are limited, careers are brief, and the costs fall unfairly on individuals rather than governments. 

Past Cases

The belief that sport should remain apolitical is historically inaccurate. From the 1936 Berlin Olympics to Cold War boycotts, sports have long been included in global politics. Athletes like Muhammad Ali, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Colin Kaepernick demonstrate that sporting platforms have repeatedly been used to challenge injustice.

Major sporting events also function as tools of soft power and diplomacy. Hosting the Olympics involves more than just sports; it is also about legitimacy and international image. In this context, allowing a state accused of violating international law to compete runs the risk of being interpreted as tacit approval. Therefore, Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is not an exception, but rather a part of a broader pattern in which sport reflects global political realities.

Public Opinion and Backlash

One of the most compelling arguments for political intervention in sport lies not in moral philosophy, but in public perceptions. Sponsors, audiences, and host countries are all important to sports organizations. Research shows that sports fandom is often stronger and more emotionally attached than political participation itself. For instance, in nations like Canada and the United Kingdom, more people regularly watch sports than turn out ot vote. This matters because sports play a major role in shaping identity. Teams are viewed by fans as extensions of their communities and values. As a result, decisions that may appear to ignore widespread moral anger, such as allowing full Russian participation during an active war, risk triggering intense backlash. 

Why Punishing Athletes Still Feels Wrong

Despite these pressures, there remains a powerful moral argument against restricting individual athletes. Athletes do not choose their governments, nor do they control foreign policy. For many, competing at the Olympics is the culmination of a lifetime of work. Denying that opportunity because of nationality alone seems like an unjust choice and one that violates principles of fairness. The AIN model is imperfect, but it is a meaningful attempt to resolve this conflict. It acknowledges athletes as individuals rather than representatives of state power, while still recognizing the symbolic weight of national participation. The success of AIN athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics suggests that neutrality can work in practice. 

So, Should Sports and Politics Intersect?

While individuals should not be barred from competition solely because of their nationality, it is understandable that sports organizations respond to public outrage and geopolitical tensions. The challenge moving forward is not to eliminate politics from sport, but to manage its intersection more transparently and fairly.  

References

• How Russian and Belarusian Athletes Compete in 2026 Olympics | TIME

• IOC Clears 13 Russian Athletes to Compete as Neutrals at 2026 Winter Games - The Moscow Times

• The IOC says it will not invite Russia and Belarus to the 2024 Olympics in Paris

• Russia is mostly absent from the Paris Olympics, fielding only a small team 

• How professional sports leagues that embrace social justice causes could influence politics