A lucky number: who will represent Russia at the 2026 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited four more Russian athletes to the 2026 Games, according to the organization's website. Thus, all 13 people who were considered candidates for participation after the completion of the qualifying rounds received admission. There will definitely be no new people in our application. Unfortunately, the record for the size of the Russian delegation will be updated compared to Paris 2024 - we sent 15 athletes to the last summer Games.

Who of our people will perform at the Games

Two Russian luge skiers were invited to the Olympics: Daria Olesik and Pavel Repilov. In addition to them, the IOC invited alpine skiers Semyon Efimov and Yulia Pleshkova to compete in Italy. Obviously, all these invitations will be accepted, which will be the final point in the complex procedure for admitting neutrals. Thus, 13 of our athletes will definitely take part in the upcoming Games. Their list was published by the Center for Sports Training of Russian National Teams (CSP).

Figure skating: Adelia Petrosyan, Peter Gumennik.

Short track: Alyona Krylova, Ivan Posashkov.

Speed skating: Ksenia Korzhova, Anastasia Semenova.

Cross-country skiing: Daria Nepryaeva, Savely Korostelev.

Ski mountaineering: Nikita Filippov.

Tobogganing: Daria Olesik, Pavel Repilov.

Alpine skiing: Yulia Pleshkova, Semyon Efimov.

Only athletes from individual sports received admission, and not all of them. We will not see Russian hockey players, curlers, biathletes, bobsledders, skeleton athletes, snowboarders, ski jumpers, biathletes and freestyle skiers at the Olympics. Representatives of the team disciplines did not participate in the selection, in accordance with the recommendations of the IOC, we did not receive neutral status in biathlon. And in other disciplines, adequate participation in the qualification did not work out due to visa problems.

"I'm not going to watch hockey at the Olympic Games," Vyacheslav Fetisov, a two—time Olympic champion and one of the most decorated hockey players in history, told Izvestia. — We were just kicked out of there. And what am I going to watch there? Without our team, the competition will not be so competitive and spectacular. I have nothing to see there.

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Irina Slutskaya, a two-time world champion and winner of two Olympic Games, has a different opinion.

"The Olympic Games have always attracted attention," Irina Slutskaya told Izvestia. — And they will attract attention, no matter what happens, it will be discussed and discussed. The "White" Olympics have always been considered one of the most beautiful and one of the most interesting. The whole world will be discussing it. I've been to the Olympic Games three times. I understand from the inside what it is. And I understand now, as a spectator. Therefore, when I see our athlete, my heart immediately freezes, and I want him to succeed. It's beyond words. No one who hasn't been on the other side will understand me. Therefore, any athlete who represents our country here evokes emotions and feelings. And you jump up on the couch if, God forbid, something goes wrong. And you're also screaming and getting sick.

There was less only in Tsarist Russia

The United States is expected to have the largest representation at the upcoming Games (233 athletes). The top three also includes Canada (207) and Italy (196). New Zealand (17) and Belarus (7) were on a par with Russia.

Our delegation turned out to be the smallest in more than 100 years. Even at the last Olympic Games in Paris, which took place in 2024, 15 athletes came: three cyclists, one trampolinist, seven tennis players, three canoeists and one swimmer. Then Mirra Andreeva and Diana Schneider won silver in doubles. Our skaters have the main hopes for medals now.

"I hope the guys will be in maximum shape," Alexander Enbert, the OI—2018 silver medalist in the team tournament, shared his opinion with Izvestia. — The season went on in different ways, but the guys were preparing for this tournament. Of course, I would like to see the most complex programs on the AI. We are waiting for the triple axel in the short and free programs from Adelia. Maybe a quadruple jump. Because Adelia has shown triple axels this season and at the World Championships. I hope that by the Olympic Games we will be able to gather the peak of form and perform. Peter has a strong recruitment throughout the season. Lots of quads. We expect calmness and a clean rental from him with what he has already shown.

There were even fewer Russian athletes at the 1908 London Games — six people. However, this time the delegation will include more service personnel and trainers. So, in fact, there will be more than 13 Russians involved in the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The opening ceremony of the XXV Olympic Winter Games 2026 will take place on Friday, February 6. The show will take place at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. It starts at 22:00 Moscow time. Russian athletes in neutral status will not participate in the athletes' parade during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympic Games, according to the IOC decision. Our athletes will have the opportunity to attend the show as spectators.