The Russian government recently announced a major change in how they prepare athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics. A committee that was supposed to get Russian athletes ready for these games has been officially dissolved, following an order signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. This decision, published on the government’s official website, might sound like a big deal, but experts say it’s more of a technical adjustment than a sign that Russia is planning to boycott the Olympics.
This committee was created in 2014 after the Sochi Winter Olympics to make sure athletes were well-prepared for future events. They coordinated many logistical tasks, like setting up training camps and arranging flights. But over the years, it became clear that other groups were actually handling most of these responsibilities. The Presidential Sports Council, for instance, took on many of the committee’s duties, while the Center for Sports Training handled athlete preparation directly.
As a result, Sport-Express, a Russian news outlet, called this committee “outdated.” According to them, dissolving it is part of a larger effort to simplify sports management in Russia, rather than an indication of abandoning the Olympics altogether.
For over a decade, Russia has faced strict rules from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), mainly due to doping allegations. These sanctions have stripped Russian athletes of their national anthem and flag at past Olympics. Restrictions increased after the Ukraine conflict escalated in early 2022, leading the IOC to limit Russia’s participation even further. This year, only 55 Russian athletes are allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics, with even stricter rules: they can only join as neutral participants, are limited to individual events, and are banned from team sports.
The IOC is also screening athletes to ensure they have no ties to Russian state security or military groups and are asking participants to pledge support for the “peace mission of the Olympic Movement.” Moscow has responded with strong criticism, claiming these rules undermine the Olympic spirit.
The Kremlin, however, has resisted calls to boycott the Olympics, instead encouraging Russian athletes to participate under a neutral flag. At the same time, Russia has been pushing for alternatives to the Olympics, like the World Friendship Games, designed to be more inclusive and less political. Recently, Russia even hosted the first-ever ‘Games of the Future’ in Kazan, a “phygital” (physical and digital) tournament featuring a mix of traditional sports and high-tech competitions like drone racing and robot battles. This event brought together over 2,000 athletes from 107 countries, highlighting Russia’s determination to keep its sports spirit alive, even as Olympic challenges continue.
