The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has voted to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out of qualifying events for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, dealing a sharp blow to hopes of their return to international competition.
The decision, taken during a council meeting in Switzerland, ensures that Russian skiers and snowboarders will remain on the sidelines of dozens of key Olympic qualifiers — and possibly the Games themselves.
A Ban That Echoes Beyond the Slopes
For FIS, this wasn’t just another vote. It was a reaffirmation of a stance that began in 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) opened the door for “Individual Neutral Athletes” at the Paris Games last year, the federation made it clear that its door would stay firmly shut.
FIS said the decision applies to both Olympic and Paralympic events under its control. The move came even after the International Paralympic Committee recently reinstated Russia and Belarus as full members.
Russia’s Ski Association wasted no time voicing outrage. It called the move “deeply disappointing” and discriminatory. Officials there hinted at legal action, vowing to “pursue all available avenues” to challenge the decision.
That reaction wasn’t unexpected — Moscow has spent months lobbying for reinstatement, arguing that sports should stay separate from politics. But for FIS, the optics of reintroducing Russians before the war ends were too fraught to risk.
A Precarious Moment for FIS Leadership
The timing of the council’s decision raised eyebrows across the sport. It came just four days before the women’s giant slalom kicks off the new Alpine World Cup season in Sölden, Austria — a showcase event that sets the tone for winter sports worldwide.
Behind the scenes, the political undercurrents have been impossible to ignore. Several northern European nations, particularly Norway and Finland, had hinted they might withdraw from events or refuse entry to Russian athletes if the federation reinstated them. That threat was not taken lightly.
For FIS President Johan Eliasch, a British-Swedish businessman, the move was as much about unity as it was about policy. “You can’t have host nations refusing athletes,” said one person close to the federation’s discussions. “It would fracture the World Cup calendar before it even begins.”
One sentence from a federation insider summed it up: “This wasn’t about medals — it was about peace in the locker room.”
The Olympic Ripple Effect
The Milan-Cortina Games, scheduled for February 2026, will feature 16 FIS-run disciplines, from cross-country skiing to snowboarding. That makes the federation’s stance pivotal — its events account for nearly half of all medals on offer.
By refusing to allow even “neutral” Russians, FIS dramatically narrows the potential pool of athletes eligible to compete under the IOC’s compromise plan.
A look at how other winter sports federations are handling Russian participation helps clarify just how isolated FIS’s decision is becoming:
| Sport | Governing Body | Status of Russian Athletes |
|---|---|---|
| Figure Skating | ISU | Neutral participation allowed |
| Ski Mountaineering | IFMS | Neutral participation allowed |
| Ice Hockey | IIHF | Ban still in place |
| Biathlon | IBU | Ban still in place |
| Bobsled/Skeleton | IBSF | May allow neutrals soon |
As things stand, the number of Russian or Belarusian athletes at the next Winter Olympics could drop to single digits — the lowest in decades.
Russia’s Reaction: “Politics Over Principles”
In Moscow, the backlash was immediate and bitter. Russian media outlets called the vote “shameful.” Several athletes went on television to denounce what they described as Western hypocrisy.
One former Olympic champion in cross-country skiing told state broadcaster Match TV that the decision was “a betrayal of the Olympic spirit.” Another athlete said it proved that “neutrality exists only on paper.”
The Russian Ski Federation framed it as a moral fight. “Athletes should not be punished for political circumstances beyond their control,” it said, repeating a line that’s become almost a mantra for the country’s sporting establishment.
Privately, though, there’s a growing sense of resignation. Even if Russia appeals, few expect FIS to backtrack before 2026.
Europe’s Quiet Relief
In Oslo, Stockholm, and Zurich, the decision landed differently. Several national ski associations had privately urged FIS to hold firm. Many remember the chaos of early 2022, when Norway threatened to block Russians from entering its territory just days before major events.
“It was a mess,” recalled one World Cup official from Finland. “You had one rule from the IOC, another from FIS, and a third from national governments. Nobody knew what to do.”
This time, FIS avoided that chaos by taking a definitive stance early. It may not please Moscow, but it gives clarity to the athletes, hosts, and sponsors who keep the sport afloat.
And there’s another layer — public opinion. In much of northern Europe, sentiment remains firmly against Russian participation while the war in Ukraine drags on. FIS officials, acutely aware of that mood, know they’re not just managing a sport — they’re managing trust.
The Uncomfortable Politics of Snow and Ice
The debate over Russian athletes has divided the Olympic world more than any other since the Cold War. The IOC’s “neutral” compromise — allowing athletes to compete without flags, anthems, or uniforms — was supposed to calm tensions. But for many federations, it’s only muddied the waters.
Skiing, with its deep roots in Europe’s heartlands, has always been more political than it looks. The sport depends on host countries that pour millions into venues, tourism, and broadcasting deals. That gives them leverage — and they’ve used it.
Basically, FIS had to pick between two bad choices: alienate its core nations or anger the IOC. It chose the former.
And yet, some insiders wonder if that will come back to haunt them. The IOC rarely forgets defiance. One observer noted that “FIS could face subtle pushback in funding and influence within Olympic circles” for not aligning with Lausanne’s broader policy.
Looking Ahead to Milan-Cortina
For athletes, the focus is shifting fast to Milan-Cortina 2026. The Italian organizers have stayed largely silent on the issue, emphasizing that qualification decisions rest with international federations, not host committees.
Still, the absence of Russian stars will change the dynamic. Cross-country races that once featured fierce rivalries may lose their edge. Snowboard slalom finals might feel thinner.
Some fans will miss those rivalries. Others will say sport has taken the moral high ground. Either way, it’s clear: the fallout from a war fought far from the slopes is reshaping the Olympic snowfields of Europe.
