The Russian Cycling Federation (FVSR) has formally asked the UCI, cycling's world governing body, to allow its junior riders to compete in international events under the Russian flag and in national kit, citing recent recommendations from the International Olympic Committee.
FVSR President Yuri Kucheryavy confirmed the federation sent an official letter to UCI President David Lappartient in February requesting a status update on the eligibility of Russian junior cyclists.
"We are currently awaiting a response from the UCI. We sent an official letter to President David Lappartient requesting an update on the status of the review of our juniors' and young athletes' eligibility for competition without any restrictions, including wearing Russian national insignia," Kucheryavy said, in a letter reported by Russian publication Sovetsky Sports.
"This request, as you understand, was based on the latest IOC recommendations and numerous positive decisions from other international sports federations. I see how actively the Ministry of Sport, headed by Mikhail Degtyarev, is working on this issue, and we hope for a positive decision from the UCI."
The request follows an IOC Olympic Summit held on December 11, 2025, at which the executive board recommended that youth athletes from Russia and Belarus should no longer face restrictions on national identity in international youth competitions. The IOC said standard protocols regarding flags, anthems and uniforms should apply, provided the relevant national sports organisation is in good standing.
The IOC's December 11 recommendation changed the neutral-status framework in place since 2022, under which Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from displaying national symbols and, in many cases, excluded from team events entirely.
However, the IOC's recommendations are not binding on individual international federations. The UCI retains the authority to set its own policy, and the governing body has not publicly indicated whether a review is underway or on what timeline a decision might be expected.
Precedents from other sports
Several other sporting bodies have already acted on the IOC's guidance. The International Paralympic Committee confirmed that Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under national colours at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics beginning March 6.
Russian cyclists Marina Danilova, Alexander Davidovich, and Sergey Firsanov have also recently been granted neutral status to compete in UCI events.
In late 2023, UEFA reversed a decision to allow Russian U17 teams to compete after a dozen member federations threatened a boycott. The federations that threatened to boycott included Ukraine, England and Poland.
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi has praised officials who plan to boycott events where Russian national symbols are present.
The UCI has not indicated whether it will change its policy. The 2026 junior racing season is already underway.
Cover image credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
