No Russian athletes at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina d'Ampezzo.
"Neutral athletes will not participate in the athletes' parade, but will be given the opportunity to attend as spectators both in Milan and in the mountain areas," the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced, bTV reported.
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus are prohibited from participating in international competitions with their national symbols. Olympians can receive neutral status if they meet conditions set by the IOC.
The Games will be held between February 6 and 22. The opening ceremony will take place at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan.
It will include spectacular performances by a whole constellation of artists, including five-time Grammy winner Mariah Carey, Golden Globe winner Laura Pausini, and Andrea Bocelli.
This is just a prelude to the big sports show, in which Bulgaria will be represented by 20 competitors in 6 sports.
Our delegation will be the largest in biathlon - 8 athletes. It is the biathletes who will parade with the Bulgarian flag at one of the additional locations that will be part of the official opening.
At the main ceremony, the flag will be carried by figure skater Alexandra Feigin. Three more alpine skiers will participate for our country - led by Albert Popov, ski jumper Vladimir Zografski, three cross-country skiers and four snowboarders, including our latest source of pride - Alexander Krashnjak.