Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed to compete in international skiing events

The Council of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in events under its auspices.

Source: FIS press service

Details: The decision was made at a meeting in Thun, Switzerland, where the Council discussed the conditions under which representatives of Russia and Belarus would be allowed to compete internationally during the 2026/27 season.

Previously, only a limited number of athletes were allowed to compete after undergoing strict vetting. Those requirements have now been removed, and athletes will only need to sign a declaration of neutrality.

Russian athletes will therefore be able to compete in cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and freeride events. They will compete as neutrals.

In December 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered FIS to allow Russian skiers to participate in international competitions. FIS itself had previously voted to maintain the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Background: It was previously reported that the International Biathlon Union has decided to keep in place sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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