Degtyarev calls neutral status for Russians at 2027 youth festival discriminatory

The head of the Russian Olympic Committee said Russia is preparing lawsuits over the conditions for participation in the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Brașov.

According to RBC, the executive committee of the European Olympic Committees allowed Russian athletes to take part in the 2027 festival as neutrals. Russian Sports Minister and Russian Olympic Committee head Mikhail Degtyarev called the decision discriminatory and said lawsuits were being prepared.

Degtyarev also said the rules conflict with recommendations from the International Olympic Committee. In December 2025, the IOC did recommend that Russian and Belarusian youth athletes should not be restricted from international competitions and that standard protocols on flags, anthems and uniforms should apply when the national federation is in good standing. The decision on how to apply the recommendation to a particular event remains with its organizers and relevant sports bodies.

The Winter European Youth Olympic Festival will be held in Brașov from February 14 to 21, 2027. The European Olympic Committees have confirmed the dates and preparations for the event.