The Russian Olympic Committee wore white, blue and red on their sleeve at the Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) did not breach any rules by wearing the national colours on its sleeve at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium.

The symbol garnered attention last night, leading to questions over whether it broke regulations set out by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

Russia is currently serving a two-year sanction handed out by CAS in December 2020 due to state-sponsored doping.

It was initially a four-year suspension handed out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), but this was reduced to two when the case was taken to CAS.

The sanctions mean Russia cannot compete under its nation's name at major competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.

Because of this, Russia are competing as the ROC at Beijing 2022, with a neutral flag and anthem too in line with the rules. 

Russia is also unable to host or bid for any competitions until December 2022.

The national flag is not allowed at the Games, which led to questions over its legality.

However, a spokesperson from the IOC confirmed this was allowed and was in line with their approved uniform.

"The ROC uniform designs for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games are in line with the established and published implementation guidelines, which were confirmed by WADA," the IOC told insidethegames.

"The guidelines provide the framework for the implementation by the International Federations (IFs) at World Championships and at the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

"They have been distributed to Winter Olympic IFs and the International Paralympic Committee. 

"The uniforms have been approved on this basis."

The Russian Olympic Committee have to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympic Games ©Getty Images
The Russian Olympic Committee have to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympic Games ©Getty Images

In November, the IOC approved the uniform of the ROC team for Beijing 2022.

In the CAS ruling, the court declared that Russian symbols could not be used on the team's uniforms but that the red, white and blue colours of the flag would be allowed.

Guidelines added that if the uniform contains or displays the name "Russia" in any language or format, the words "neutral athlete" - or an equivalent - must be displayed in English in a position and size that is no less prominent than the name "Russia".

Olympic silver medallist speed skater Olga Fatkulina and ice hockey captain and Olympic champion Vadim Shipachev were the flagbearers for the ROC.