The International Ski and Snowboard Federation announced on Wednesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete as neutral participants in the upcoming winter season. However, they are required to adhere to a declaration of neutrality and are prohibited from displaying any national symbols while participating in FIS competitions. Sanctions may be imposed for non-compliance with these guidelines.
In December, Russian skiers secured a favorable ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, ending their suspension from international competitions dating back to the conflict in Ukraine. This decision enabled them to rejoin World Cup events in various skiing disciplines, aiming to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics in February.
The FIS ruling council has reaffirmed the neutral athlete policy for the upcoming winter season, emphasizing that athletes can only participate in individual events without displaying any national flags, anthems, or uniforms.
Despite the permissions granted by FIS, Russian athletes and officials may still encounter challenges in securing visas for entry into certain European countries hosting World Cup races.
