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FIS Bars Russian and Belarusian Athletes From Milan-Cortina Olympic Qualifiers

The ruling also covers Paralympic events overseen by FIS.

Overview

  • The FIS Council voted Tuesday not to allow Individual Neutral Athletes from Russia or Belarus to enter its Olympic qualification system.
  • The move effectively prevents those skiers and snowboarders from competing in dozens of events at the February Games.
  • FIS disciplines account for almost half of Milano-Cortina medal events, heightening the competitive consequences.
  • The IOC allows neutral participation and the IPC recently restored both nations to full membership, yet federations set their own qualification rules.
  • Approaches differ elsewhere, with ice skating and ski mountaineering opening neutral routes as hockey and biathlon keep bans, leaving only a few athletes confirmed as neutrals so far.