In the early days of the Milan-Cortina Olympics, the result box on Yle's website featured the Russian flag, even though Russia is not participating in the Games. The International Olympic Committee has allowed 13 Russian athletes to compete as neutrals; however, their representation in Yle's coverage has caused confusion. For example, Saveli Korosteljov finished fourth in the men’s 10+10 kilometer combined race, but Yle presented him as part of the Russian team accompanied by their flag. This has sparked criticism since it contradicts the protocols regarding the participation of Russian athletes under a neutral banner.

Additionally, the situation is similar for Belarusian athletes, with seven competing under a neutral flag as well. One such athlete, Hanna Karaliova, ranked 34th in the women's 10+10 kilometer combined competition. Just like the Russians, the Belarusian flag was mistakenly shown next to her name on Yle's results page. Joose Palonen, Head of Yle Sports, acknowledged the error, stating that both the Russian and Belarusian flags will be removed from the news coverage. The data in the result boxes comes from an external source, which has contributed to the oversight.

This incident raises questions regarding the media's role in correctly representing athletes under the guidelines set by the International Olympic Committee. As the Olympics continue, it is critical for media outlets to ensure accurate representation to avoid miscommunication, particularly given the political sensitivities surrounding Russian and Belarusian athletes. Such errors may negatively impact the perception of the Games and the integrity of neutral athlete representation.