Tricolor to present televisions to Russian Olympians

Russian athletes did not receive gift smartphones from the organizers of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, but they will receive a truly warm welcome upon their return home. Tricolor decided to donate its own-made televisions to 13 Russian athletes who competed at the Games under a neutral flag.

According to media reports, the Russian and Belarusian athletes did not receive gifts from the organizing committee from the sponsor of the Games, which are due to all participants of the competition. Namely— an exclusive Samsung smartphone, which has important applications with the schedule of the Games, logistics for moving around the Olympic venues, free access to transport and much more. The press service of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that issuing a smartphone to Russians would lead to a violation of "current legislation."

The Russian flag is not officially raised at the Winter Olympics in Milan: 13 of our athletes compete under a neutral flag. But if they had to compete in the international arena without national symbols, then each of them will be greeted at home by the Tricolor. Upon returning to the country, every Russian athlete who participated in the Milan Olympics will receive a modern Tricolor TV as a gift.

Marina Bogomolova, General producer of Tricolor Sport, emphasized that the support of compatriots is not just a gesture, but a principled position of the company.

"It is important for us that Russian athletes feel that they are welcome and admired at home, regardless of the decisions of international organizations. Tricolor is actively developing a sports block of TV channels and content. For us, sport is about fortitude, unity and striving for a goal. Our athletes overcame an incredible number of obstacles to get to the Olympic games and represent the country with dignity. I would like them to return to a warm atmosphere after all the trials, where their main fans — family and friends — will be able to share their joy on the big screen of the new TV," commented Marina Bogomolova.

The Tricolor initiative was supported by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation:

"Russia was at the origin and will forever remain a part of the international Olympic movement. Attempts by a number of foreign brands to annoy our athletes in small things, to deprive them of a gift that is due to the rest of the participants of the Games, is just a petty dirty trick. Fortunately, there are many socially responsible businesses in our country that are always ready to lend a shoulder and stand up for their own. We are continuing negotiations with several more well-known sponsors. We will definitely help and organize the centralized presentation of gifts to all our athletes participating in the Olympic Games," said Mikhail Degtyarev, head of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation.