Russian athletes competing at the 2026
Winter Olympics as "individual neutral athletes" said they were
not given complimentary Samsung phones other participants received, Russian
propaganda outlet RBC reported on Feb. 18.
Skier Nikita Filippov said his gift box from organizers contained only shampoo and toothpaste. Other Russian athletes at the Games also reported not receiving phones.
The IOC said it withheld the phones because of sanctions.
“Under the law, the Olympic Committee is prohibited from distributing devices among athletes from certain countries,” the IOC said.
The European Union banned exports of luxury goods to Russia in 2022 as part of its sanctions; the ban covers phones worth more than EUR750 ($885).
The IOC allowed 13 Russian athletes to compete at the Milan–Cortina
games as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). However, at least four Russian
participants at the 2026 Olympics were accused of violating the neutrality
requirement.