2026 Winter Olympics: Russian athletes linked to pro-war activism

The final decision on whether the four athletes could compete in Milano-Cortina was made by the International Olympic Committee’s Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Committee.

Watanabe participates in the committee in his capacity as a representative of international sports federations, by virtue of his role as President of the World Gymnastics Federation. He was also a candidate in the International Olympic Committee’s presidential elections last year.

In March 2025, Watanabe was photographed hugging Nagorny during a visit to Moscow.

Nagorny, an Olympic gold medalist at the Tokyo Games, was a prominent supporter of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

He served as head of Yunarmia, Russia’s military youth organisation, between 2020 and 2024 and was sanctioned by the UK, EU and US., external.

The British sanctions memorandum accuses Nagorny of involvement in the forced deportation and re-education of Ukrainian children.

“It’s crazy,” said Heraskiewicz, who held a “No to War” banner at the Beijing Olympics.

“He still hugs this person and is still friendly with him. And then he decides whether these Russians are guilty or not guilty, whether they are in the war or not.”

The International Gymnastics Federation, in response to a question on behalf of Watanabe, said it would not comment on the IOC committee or its decisions.

She said that Watanabe’s visit to Russia “came a few days after his visit to Ukraine” and that its goal “was to show support for athletes affected by the war on both sides.”

“Mr. Nagorny has not been allowed to participate in international gymnastics competitions since the beginning of the conflict,” she added.