Russian Rule-ette

During the ancient Olympics, the Greeks practiced ékécheiria: an Olympic truce, a temporary peace during which wars would pause, combatants would lay down their arms, and athletes competed peacefully and nobly in Olympic contests. The Olympic Games would literally stop wars, the violence and aggression and acrimony of the battlefield replaced with the spirit of the Games. We’re reminded of that notable history during every modern Olympic broadcast, and we’re certain to be reminded of it countless times during the Games in Milano-Cortina in 2026. What broadcasters never seem to disclose is that after those ancient Games concluded—after the Olympic Truce expired—all the soldiers and armies and nation states went right back to waging war again. Whether during times of antiquity or during the modern day, the Olympic Games aren’t as much of a “peace” as they are a “pause,” a time when athletes and nations attempt to live up to the Olympic spirit, requiring “mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.” It’s also a truce that’s supported by the commercialization of an enterprise and the potential profits from its staging, so much so that sporting events temporarily take precedent over geopolitical aggressions and military invasions. That’s an exceptional reflection of the value of the Olympic Games, but it’s never proven to be much of a lasting solution. Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee continues to see itself as a peace maker, persisting in sentiments espoused by outgoing IOC President, Thomas Bach, that the Olympics should involve “building bridges, never erecting walls.”

Now, a new IOC head has been elected—Kirsty Coventry—the first woman elected to this role. Coventry identifies Bach as her mentor, seeming to suggest that she will support policies allowing the Olympics to once again host Russian athletes. Historically, traditionally, and fundamentally, that’s what the Olympics are supposed to do . . .

The International Olympic committee (IOC) and the International Ski Federation (FIS) are reportedly reconsidering their existing bans of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions. Current proposals suggest that Russian and Belarusian athletes may be allowed to compete as Independent Neutral Athletes (AIN), representing no nation. They wouldn’t march in Opening Ceremonies, they wouldn’t wear a national uniform. If they win a gold medal, they’ll stand on the podium under an Olympic flag while some as-yet-undisclosed “neutral music” (rather than a national anthem) would be played.

Russia’s recent Olympic involvement has been a rocky road, indeed. Russia had already been exposed for systematic cheating during the Olympic Winter Games in  Sochi. Following that team-wide, government-sponsored doping scandal, Russia had already endured a multi-year ban from Olympic competition during which select Russian athletes had been allowed to compete as independent participants. Then came the invasion of Ukraine, and the IOC (and FIS) finally found a rationale that would allow them to kick out the Russians, entirely. But is that really legitimate a reason? Olympic history and philosophy suggests no, as the tradition of the Olympic Truce would seem to indicate. But the modern Olympics have not been part of any Olympic truce. Olympic Games were canceled due to World War I, and again during World War II. That was when the whole world was at war; there was just no stopping the conflicts that involved so many nations, even for an Olympic Truce. So, it seems there have been multiple exceptions to Olympic foundational rules. Even the seemingly egalitarian aims of the Ancient Olympics did not seem to guarantee participation in sport as a human right . . . at least not for women, who were barred from competition. The same exclusions were suffered by non-Greeks, professionals, blasphemers, and convicted criminals. Ironically, it’s the blasphemers category that still seems to be in play: the IOC has suggested that Russian and Belarusian athletes may be allowed into the Olympics Games of Milano-Cortina, except for those athletes who have voiced support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If a Russian athlete spoke out in favor of the war (including statements made, re-posted, and/or “liked” in social media), then they’re out. The same goes for athletes who may be enlisted in the armed forces of those countries. That makes Olympic qualification an especially difficult needle to thread for Russian athletes, many of whom make their living by their positions in the Russian military (a virtual governmental sponsorship). Former Olympic and World Cup champion, Alexander Bolshunov, for one, is enlisted in the Russian National Guard.

Bolshunov already owns nine Olympic medals (three of them gold). Eight World Championship medals (even though Russia has been excluded from the last two World Championship events in 2023 and 2025). Bolshunov has been World Cup overall champion twice (2020 and 2021), and Distance champion three times (2019, 2020, 2021). Bolshunov was present at a number of European races (though not World Cup events) during the 2024-2025 season, though his performances suggested he was having a tough time brushing off the rust of two years of World Cup exile. He managed to win one marathon event, but his other races were far from stellar performances, including a dramatic fall just before one finish line that concluded in Bolshunov removing his skis and walking dejectedly across the finish line. Despite his recent unspirited performances, Bolshunov must be considered a prime contender for medals in Milano-Cortina, if they let him into the Games.

Bolshunov’s Russian teammate, Natalya (Nepryaeva) Terentyeva, also finds herself affected by decisions and policies being considered by the IOC. Terentyeva owns four Olympic medals, three World Championship medals, a Tour de Ski title, and an Overall World Cup title that she won in 2022, despite having been excluded from the final two races of that World Cup season due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leaving us to wonder if Terentyaeva ever actually received the Crystal Globe and/or the prize money associated with it?

The Olympic Charter’s Fundamental Principles make it plain that: “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have access to the practice of sport, without discrimination of any kind in respect of internationally recognised human rights.” Consequently—and even in those sports where international sports governing bodies (like those of figure skating, bobsled, speedskating, and cross country skiing) have banned Russian participation—it appears likely that athletes from Russia (and Belarus) will likely toe Olympic starting lines in Milano-Cortina in February of 2026. That’s likely to change the story, and the racing, and the results . . . while the philosophy behind it all attempts to remain true to a hard-to-live-up-to philosophy.