Ski body blocks Russian, Belarusian athletes from 2026 Winter Olympics

The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced on Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes in its disciplines will not be able to qualify for next year’s Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.

Competitors in skiing and snowboarding from the two countries have been banned from FIS events since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but they had hoped to participate under a neutral banner in the Games, which run from February 6-22, 2026.

“The FIS Council convened this Tuesday and voted not to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in FIS qualification events for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games,” FIS said.

During the 2022 Games in Beijing, Russia won almost a third of all cross-country skiing medals, although they picked up none in alpine skiing.

“I think it’s the right decision,” Norway’s individual sprint Olympic champion Johannes Klaebo told television channel NRK.

“I’ve thought for a while that Russians should not be allowed to compete as long as the war in Ukraine continues,” the 28-year-old added.

FIS followed in the footsteps of the moves from the governing bodies of biathlon and luge, although ice skating authorities have decided to allow athletes from the two nations to attempt to qualify.

When it comes to the Paralympics, held on March 6-15, the FIS has decided not to follow the International Paralympic Committee’s move to lift the partial suspension of Russia and Belarus.

The FIS runs three out of the 10 disciplines at the Winter Paralympics.