In a move that has ignited fresh debate, an influential figure within the Trump administration has thrown his support behind Russia’s re-entry into the global sporting scene. After years of being sidelined due to widespread cheating scandals and its invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s return has found an unexpected advocate in Paolo Zampolli, President Trump’s special representative for global partnerships.
The announcement that a Russian team would compete in next month’s Paralympics was met with immediate condemnation across Europe. However, Zampolli expressed a different sentiment, stating in a text message, “I think sport is for all.”
His comments stand in stark contrast to the views of many European leaders and Ukraine, whose team announced it would boycott the Paralympics’ opening ceremony. Italy, the host nation, also voiced its “absolute opposition to the International Paralympic Committee’s decision.”
While Russia was already excluded from fielding a national team at the Winter Games in Italy, which are drawing to a close, there has been a growing push to lift the country’s international sporting ban.
The president of FIFA, the world’s governing body for soccer, recently expressed his desire to see Russia rejoin international competitions. Similarly, Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee, emphasized sports as a “neutral ground” where “every athlete can compete freely,” echoing Zampolli’s sentiments.
Zampolli himself engaged with Russia’s sports minister in January at discussions organized by the Olympic Council of Asia. He was also present at the Olympic opening ceremony alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Notably, the U.S. government did not join the 35 nations that issued a statement criticizing the Paralympic governing body’s initial decision in September to end Russia’s suspension.
This week, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) confirmed that six Russian athletes and four from Belarus (which faced sanctions for supporting Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine) have received special invites to compete in skiing and snowboarding events next month. This marks Russia’s first participation in the Paralympics since it hosted the event in Sochi in 2014.
After those Games, Russia was found to have engaged in an extensive, state-sponsored doping program to boost its athletes’ performance. Sanctions and bans followed, and for more than a decade Russian athletes have not been allowed to represent their country at the Olympics or Paralympics. Thirteen Russian athletes were cleared to compete at this month’s Winter Games as “neutral” athletes, but any display of Russia’s flag, national symbols, or national anthem remained forbidden.
The impact of these restrictions was evident during the women’s figure skating final. Adeliia Petrosian, an 18-year-old Russian competing neutrally, received strong audience support, yet her fans were barred from displaying anything overtly Russian. Many found creative ways to show their allegiance; for instance, a family from Moscow wore matching cherry-red hoodies featuring Ms. Petrosian’s face, while others held up supportive cardboard signs. The arena announcer referred to her as a “three-time national champion,” intentionally omitting any mention of her nationality.
Ms. Petrosian later acknowledged the “Russian-speaking spectators” who cheered her on, despite her sixth-place finish.
The International Olympic Committee had formally banned Russia in 2023 after it moved to integrate official sports institutions in several occupied Ukrainian regions. Russian officials have since argued that administrative changes should now lead to the ban’s removal.
Mikhail V. Degtyarev, Russia’s sports minister, anticipates a decision from the IOC’s executive board by May, potentially clearing the way for a Russian team to participate in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Even if the IOC lifts its ban, individual sports federations still need to approve Russia’s return. A few have done so, including those for judo and taekwondo.
Prince Feisal Al Hussein, a Jordanian royal and IOC board member, expressed support for Russian reinstatement this month, stating, “The Olympic movement is about inclusivity, not exclusivity, so we must find a way to bring everybody back.”
The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to cast a shadow over the Winter Games. Last week, a Ukrainian skeleton athlete was disqualified for planning to wear a helmet honoring fallen countrymen, a move deemed a violation of the IOC’s political speech rules.
Another tense moment is expected at the Paralympic opening ceremony on March 6, where Russia’s team will be permitted to display their national flag and colors. In response, some European governments have announced they will not send official delegations, and Estonia’s national broadcaster declared it would not air events featuring Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags.