Bulgarian athletes risk losing the opportunity to compete under their national flag at the Winter Olympics, which will be held in Italy from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Idman.biz reports that this was announced by Vesela Lecheva, head of the Bulgarian National Olympic Committee (NOC).
She said that on May 17, the IOC sent a letter with conditions that the previous NOC leadership had to fulfill. However, these requirements were not met, which could lead to new sanctions, including a ban on the use of the flag at the Olympics.
"This will be a disgrace!" Lecheva emphasized.
Lecheva became the head of the Bulgarian NOC in March 2025, defeating Stefka Kostadinova in the elections, who had headed the committee since 2005.
Idman.biz