★ The Sports Examiner: Chronicling the key competitive, economic and political forces shaping elite sport and the Olympic Movement.★
★ To get the daily Sports Examiner Recap by e-mail: sign up here! ★
≡ “NEUTRAL” SKIERS ALLOWED ≡
“Both Panels found that the FIS Statutes protect individuals from discrimination and require the FIS to be politically neutral (Art. 5.2). Consequently, the appeals were partially upheld on the basis that the FIS decision is a blanket exclusion of athletes due to nationality, regardless of whether athletes would meet AIN [“neutral’] eligibility criteria.”
On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued yet another decision allowing Russian and Belarusian skiers to compete for Olympic qualification as “neutral” athletes and striking down another complete ban by an International Federation.
Appeals to the Court of Arbitration had previously impacted the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and the International Luge Federation. The International Skating Union had made arrangements in advance to allow a very limited Olympic qualifying path for Russian and Belarusian “neutrals” based on its – ultimately correct – view that the International Olympic Committee would extend its “neutral athlete” program from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
The specific background of the dispute with the FIS was summarized thus:
“On 21 October 2025, the FIS Council issued a resolution ‘not to facilitate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in FIS qualification events for the OWG and Paralympic Games 2026.’ Two appeals were filed to CAS against this decision, arguing that it is in breach of FIS statutes and contravenes the principles of political neutrality and non-discrimination.
“The first appeal is by the Russian Ski Association (RSF), 12 Russian athletes and para-athletes, and the Russian Paralympic Committee. This case was heard virtually on 1 December 2025. The second appeal is by the Belarusian Ski Union (BSU) and 5 Belarusian athletes. This case was heard virtually on 26 November 2025. The procedures were expedited to accommodate upcoming OWG 2026 qualification events, with operative decisions issued today (without grounds).”
There was an important added note to the Belarusian Ski Union holding:
“Requests by the BSU on how to establish and apply AIN criteria were also dismissed, as they remain under FIS remit.”
Which means that FIS is in control of the AIN process and it issued a statement on Tuesday, taking hold of the situation immediately. It included:
“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: [email protected] .
“The FIS Individual Neutral Athlete Policy elaborates on the conditions and the process for athletes and support personnel from Russia and Belarus to take part in FIS events. This includes:
“● 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.
“● Support personnel must meet the same eligibility criteria as athletes, and only persons holding a high-level medical or technical function which is essential to the participation of Individual Neutral Athletes may be granted accreditation.
“● Participation in competitions as AIN is conditional on strict neutrality towards the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. This requirement is outlined in the following points:
“= No voluntary link with the Russian or Belarusian military or with any other national security agency.
“= No communication associated with Russia or Belarus.
“= No support for the war in Ukraine.”
Once an application is made, then FIS has its own review process, to “verify compliance with the requirements for Individual Neutral Athlete status.” A three-person review panel; of FIS Secretary General Michel Vion (FRA), “[a]n independent sports integrity expert” and “[a] representative of the FIS administration presenting the report of the external due diligence report and anti-doping status.”
No timeline is stated for the reviews to be completed.
Russia has excellent cross-country skiers and if qualified, could be a factor in the Milan Cortina Games. The FIS Cross Country World Cup season has just begun and will continue through 25 January before breaking for the Olympic Winter Games.
¶
★ Receive our exclusive, weekday TSX Recap by e-mail by clicking here.
★ Sign up a friend to receive the TSX Recap by clicking here.
★ Please consider a donation here to keep this site going.
For our updated, 850-event International Sports Calendar for 2025, 2026 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!
