The International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s council recently voted against permitting athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in qualifiers for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. This decision, made in Oberhofen, Switzerland, effectively prohibits Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders from competing in numerous events at the Games in February. While the International Olympic Committee allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as “Individual Neutral Athletes,” the final decision rests with the individual sports federations. FIS, which has previously banned the national teams of Russia and Belarus since 2022, has chosen not to allow neutral athletes in its qualifiers.
FIS announced that this ruling also extends to Paralympic events under its purview, despite the recent reinstatement of Russia and Belarus as full members by the International Paralympic Committee. The timing of this decision, just ahead of the first alpine skiing World Cup event of the season, may have implications for Russian athletes who excel in cross-country, snowboard slalom, ski jumping, and freestyle disciplines. Although Russia is not a dominant force in alpine skiing, its prowess in other winter sports is notable.
The potential for conflict between FIS and the predominantly northern European host countries of its World Cup events was a key consideration in the decision-making process. The events following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, where FIS initially allowed Russian skiers to compete without national symbols but later excluded them due to host country objections, underscore the complex dynamics at play in international sports governance.
FIS, as the largest among the nine international sports federations overseeing Olympic sports, holds significant influence over the Winter Games. With Russian athletes barred from ski events, the number of neutral participants at Milan-Cortina may be limited. While some sports have permitted Russian involvement, others like hockey and biathlon continue to uphold bans. Notably, only a few athletes have qualified as neutrals in skiing and snow sports, a stark contrast to the substantial Russian presence at previous Olympic Games.
