CAS opens door for Russian and Belarusian skiers to compete at the 2026 Olympics as neutral athletes

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued a decision requiring that Russian and Belarusian athletes in FIS disciplines who satisfy the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) neutrality and eligibility criteria be allowed to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes at the February 2026 Winter Olympics.

CAS also ruled that eligible athletes must be permitted to participate in FIS qualification events—practically, World Cup competitions—where Olympic qualification points are awarded. Finnish Ski Association chair Sirpa Korkatti said the organization will await FIS processing and guidance before commenting further.

Background - In autumn 2025, the IOC confirmed that Russian and Belarusian athletes may compete at Milano–Cortina 2026 as neutral athletes under the same conditions applied for Paris 2024. Final participation decisions, however, were left to international federations. - In October, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), chaired by Johan Eliasch, decided to continue excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes from World Cups and the Milano–Cortina Olympics/Paralympics—even as neutrals. Finland’s ski federation has long opposed their participation, while Eliasch has spoken in favor of a return.

CAS proceedings and ruling - The Russian Ski Federation, 12 Russian athletes or para‑athletes, and the Russian Paralympic Committee filed one appeal; the Belarusian Ski Union and five Belarusian athletes filed another. CAS accelerated proceedings due to ongoing Olympic qualification. - CAS panels held that, under FIS rules, individual athletes are protected from discrimination and FIS must remain politically neutral (Article 5.2). Therefore, FIS cannot categorically exclude all Russian and Belarusian athletes regardless of whether they meet IOC neutrality criteria. - CAS partially upheld the appeals: athletes who meet IOC criteria must be allowed into FIS qualification events and, by extension, may qualify for the Olympics. CAS rejected demands to admit those who do not meet neutrality criteria, as well as a request to change neutrality criteria themselves, noting those fall under FIS authority.

Who can ultimately compete? - Under IOC policy, Russian and Belarusian athletes may not compete in team events; those who openly support Russia’s military actions or who serve in the armed forces are barred. All athletes must satisfy anti‑doping requirements. - High‑profile names referenced include multiple Olympic champion Aleksandr Bolshunov, who has denied supporting the war but has been linked to pro‑Kremlin events, and Veronika Stepanova, who welcomed the CAS ruling and called for equal rights regardless of political views. - NRK analyst Jan‑Petter Saltvedt described the decision as a symbolic victory for Russia and its sports‑focused president, adding it was not a surprise given recent trends in sports arbitration.

Milano–Cortina 2026 will be broadcast on Yle channels from 6–22 February 2026.