Belarusian Delegation Carries Red-and-Green Flag at Olympic Games Opening for First Time Since 2022

Reform.news Editorial Team · 1 November 2026, 10:47

https://reform.news/en/belarusian-delegation-carries-red-and-green-flag-at-olympic-games-opening-for-first-time-since-2022/

The Belarusian delegation took part in the opening ceremony of the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar carrying the country’s red-and-green state flag. It was the first such appearance at an Olympic ceremony since the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

The ceremony was held on October 31 in the Senegalese capital. The flag was carried by swimmers Palina Bialiauskaya and Maksim Mashliakevich, the National Olympic Committee of Belarus reported.

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarusian territory was also used, the IOC recommended restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. At the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belarusians competed as individual neutral athletes, without the state flag or anthem.

The return of national symbols at the Youth Games had been agreed in advance. On December 11, 2025, the Olympic Summit supported a recommendation to lift restrictions on the participation of young athletes from Belarus and Russia in international youth competitions, including team events. They were to be subject to the usual rules governing the use of flags, anthems and uniforms. The decision specifically stipulated the application of these principles to Dakar 2026.

On May 7, 2026, the IOC Executive Board withdrew its recommendations on restrictions for Belarusian athletes, including teams, at competitions organised by international federations and other sports organisers.

Belarus is represented in Dakar by seven athletes in six sports: Aliaksandra Kniazeva in judo; Palina Bialiauskaya and Maksim Mashliakevich in swimming; Hleb Akunevich in archery; Bahdan Aliyeu in taekwondo; Dzianis Maslou in fencing; and Heorhij Salavej in breaking.

The Games will run until November 13. They are the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent.