First time since 2020, Russia’s flag and national anthem return to Olympics

Russia's national flag and anthem have returned to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2020 at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. A contingent of 13 Russian athletes is competing under their national symbols following years of restrictions tied to past doping scandals and the war in Ukraine. The event officially opened on Saturday, October 31, at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium.

The policy shift follows an easing of restrictions by the International Olympic Committee, which provisionally lifted the Russian Olympic Committee's suspension in July 2026. The Dakar Games mark the first Olympic event hosted in Africa, featuring around 2,700 athletes competing across 25 sports.