Image credit: FIS
MINSK, 3 December (BelTA) – The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has acknowledged the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to allow Belarusian and Russian athletes to compete at international tournaments in a neutral status, BelTA learned from the FIS press service.
On 2 December, CAS upheld the appeal of the Belarus Ski Union against the decision to bar Belarusian athletes from FIS tournaments. Belarusian athletes are permitted to compete at international events in a neutral status. At the same time, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allowed Belarusians to compete under their own flag at the Paralympics and World Para-sport events.
“FIS has acknowledged the CAS decision. All affected athletes who are eligible to request for AIN status – in conformance with the FIS Individual Neutral Athlete Policy – should do so by sending an email to the federation’s address. Athletes may only participate in competitions in the FIS Calendar in an individual and neutral capacity. This means that they cannot participate in competitions which are based on a classification by teams,” the statement of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation reads.
Thus, Belarusian and Russian athletes with a neutral status will be able to participate in the qualification for the 2026 Olympics, while Para athletes from both countries will be able to take part in the qualification with their national symbols. The Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo on 6-22 February 2026, and the Winter Paralympic Games will take place there on 6-15 March.
On 2 December, CAS upheld the appeal of the Belarus Ski Union against the decision to bar Belarusian athletes from FIS tournaments. Belarusian athletes are permitted to compete at international events in a neutral status. At the same time, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) allowed Belarusians to compete under their own flag at the Paralympics and World Para-sport events.
“FIS has acknowledged the CAS decision. All affected athletes who are eligible to request for AIN status – in conformance with the FIS Individual Neutral Athlete Policy – should do so by sending an email to the federation’s address. Athletes may only participate in competitions in the FIS Calendar in an individual and neutral capacity. This means that they cannot participate in competitions which are based on a classification by teams,” the statement of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation reads.
Thus, Belarusian and Russian athletes with a neutral status will be able to participate in the qualification for the 2026 Olympics, while Para athletes from both countries will be able to take part in the qualification with their national symbols. The Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo on 6-22 February 2026, and the Winter Paralympic Games will take place there on 6-15 March.
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