International Ski Federation Bars Russian Belarusian Athletes From 2026 Winter Olympic Qualifiers

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has voted not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutral athletes in qualification events for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. This decision means these athletes are effectively barred from qualifying for the Games in disciplines such as Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, Nordic combined, ski jumping, and snowboarding, which collectively account for 57 of the 116 medal events. While the International Olympic Committee permits Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag with strict conditions, the final decision rests with individual sports federations, and FIS has chosen to maintain the ban. The move follows Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, after which many Winter Olympic sport federations imposed bans on these athletes. The International Paralympic Committee recently lifted partial suspensions allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags in Paralympic events. Russia's national ski association has condemned the FIS decision as discriminatory and expressed deep disappointment.