Ukrainian sports minister decries potential softening of restrictions against Russian athletes

Описание: (9 Feb 2026)
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ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP AND SNTV CLIENTS MAY USE
Milan, Italy - 8 February 2026
1. Various of Milano Ice Skating Arena with signs reading (English): "Milano Cortina 2026"
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Matvii Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT3++
"Before Russians didn't hit our power planes, our electric stations in a temperature where it's -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) in cities, and our kids and women were not frozen in their apartments. What is it as it is not a genocide? It's absolutely unreasonable actions, absolutely clear crime. And why in this moment some sports organization decide that we should allow the Russian flag in our competition in European countries, in free world, democratic countries. What is the sign of this? What for? It looks like you want to legitimize this evil."
3. Various of Milano Ice Skating Arena with signs "Milano Cortina 2026"
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Matvii Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT++
it's a very important sign that we are here, a big team here, our athletes here, we can talk about our common values, we talk about the will to win and about the importance of international support of Ukraine. About importance of continuing keeping condemnation of Russian aggression in sports organizations because it's a very important part of this negotiation process at least."
5. Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi talking to AP journalist


STORYLINE:
Ukraine's sports minister decried a potential softening of restrictions against Russian athletes where they might ultimately be able to compete in the future under their national flag rather than as “Individual Neutral Athletes.”

Matvii Bidnyi, the minister of youth and sports, said such a change would be “irresponsible” and appear to condone Russia's aggression move as the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches.

“It looks like you want to legitimize this evil,” Bidnyi said in an interview Sunday with The Associated Press in Milan. “You will send the message for the internal who supports the war and say to them, look, we’re an honored member of international communities. We are part of international sports, Olympic movement, we have our flag in the biggest international contest.”

At the Milan Cortina Olympics, 13 Russians are competing as “Individual Neutral Athletes,” meaning they formally aren’t representing their country. They cannot wear any Russian symbols and won’t hear the Russian national anthem if they win a gold medal.

Sports sanctions are an important negotiating tool for Ukraine, Bidnyi said, as Russia takes pride in its history of athletic prowess and has long used its success in sport for propaganda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said the U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace deal.

But as the frigid Ukrainian winter drags on, Russian airstrikes continue to hammer the power grid. Ukraine is struggling with blackouts that have kept millions in the dark and without heat amid freezing temperatures. When generators are deployed, Bidnyi said they're not used to power sports venues so athletes can practice.

"You must make a choice before keeping ice arenas or for example give electricity to the families in houses," he said.


The World Anti-Doping Agency still lists Russia’s national testing body as “non-compliant” and says it can’t visit Russia for in-person checks on its performance.













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