The Russian Olympic Committee is preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics, with potentially 15-20 neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus. The International Olympic Committee has confirmed eligibility for some athletes, including figure skaters. However, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, and the International Luge Federation have not allowed neutral athletes to participate. The International Skating Union has opened pathways, while the International Ski Mountaineering Federation opened qualification pathways in December.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) initiated its pre-Games anti-doping program for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with testing recommendations sent to global anti-doping organizations. The program aims for strategic, risk-based testing, complementing efforts by IFs, NADOs and RADOs and will conclude with the Olympic Villages opening on January 30, 2026. The ITA's previous efforts saw 80% implementation of testing recommendations ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. WADA and Benjamin Cohen also provided comments.

The IOC is actively campaigning for the readmission of Russian athletes to the 2026 Winter Olympics, engaging with winter sports federations to implement eligibility verification, anti-doping checks, and individual eligibility assessments similar to those used in the summer sports. The ISU has already allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to qualify as neutrals under strict conditions. However, the FIS and IBU maintain their ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes since March 2022. The ROC hopes for the return of the Russian flag at the Games, while IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry aims to prioritize athletes amidst global political issues.

Figure skater Cha Jun-hwan, 24, is vying for a spot on the IOC Athletes' Commission, aiming to become the first Korean figure skater to achieve this. Fresh off winning South Korea's first gold medal in men's singles at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, Cha is balancing his campaign with preparation for the 2025 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and the World Championships in March. He emphasizes his dedication to proving the value of hard work and was inspired by his experience presenting at the IOC for the 2024 Gangwon Youth Winter Olympics. He faces an interview with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee evaluation committee on February 26 to become a candidate, and if successful he must also win against Won Yun-jong to be the Korean representative.