Belarus, Russia boost sports ties

The 2026 Winter Olympics are just around the corner and uncertainty over their international participation still lingering. Both nations are strengthening cooperation with a recent meeting in Raubichi, where the duo reaffirmed their duty to training and organisation joint effort.

Against the backdrop of ongoing sanctions from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the National Olympic Committee of Belarus (NOCB) and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) continue to shoring up their collaboration. At the recent summit, Viktor Lukashenko, President of the NOCB, and Mikhail Degtyarev, ROC President and Russian Minister of Sport, outlined the next phase of their sporting cooperation, reaffirming their intent to maintain a presence on the global stage, regardless of Western sporting authorities' recognition.

A prime example of this approach is the 2025 Biathlon Strongest Athletes' Cup, set to take place in Raubichi, which both leaders hailed as proof that Russia and Belarus can host world-class events independently. Lukashenko was unequivocal in his belief that this partnership will continue to expand, ensuring that both nations sustain high-level competition for their athletes.

Since 2019, around 300 Belarusian sports specialists have received training at Russia’s International Olympic University, underscoring the depth of their shared commitment to talent development. Lukashenko also highlighted youth initiatives such as "Children of Asia” and "Children of Primorye”, which have provided Belarusian athletes with invaluable experience and motivation to pursue sporting careers.

Degtyarev, meanwhile, reiterated Russia’s determination to reclaim its Olympic standing, acknowledging Belarus’ steadfast support. "We have established a strong competitive framework in difficult times," he stated, while also extending an invitation to the Belarusian delegation to attend the International Forum 'Russia, A Sporting Power' in Ufa, as well as the Olympic Youth Forum.

Despite their exclusion from mainstream international competitions, Russia and Belarus remain aligned in their approach to Milano Cortina 2026. In March 2023, the IOC recommended allowing individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under neutral status, while maintaining the ban on their national teams. However, the final decision on their participation remains unresolved and could be influenced by the IOC presidential election in March 2025.

The relationship between the two nations' Olympic committees remains strong, with Belarus consolidating its role as Russia's strategic partner in sport. The Russian executive also congratulated Lukashenko on his recent re-election as president of the Belarusian NOC, stressing that the IOC's recognition of his mandate is a testament to the work done by the Belarusian sports leadership.

In the face of this uncertainty, both nations have forged ahead with their own tournaments and sporting circuits, ensuring their athletes remain in peak condition. By creating alternative competitive structures, Russia and Belarus aim to prevent their sporting talent from stagnating and prepare them for an eventual return to the Olympic fold.

With events such as the Russia, A Sporting Power Forum and other ROC-led initiatives on the horizon, discussions surrounding the future of Russian and Belarusian athletes in global sport will continue. Yet, as the months pass, their fate at Milano Cortina 2026 remains in the hands of the IOC and the shifting geopolitical landscape.