NRK reveals FIS leaders’ letter seeking support to re‑admit Russian and Belarusian skiers

Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports it has obtained a letter sent by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) leadership to member federations, seeking support to re‑admit Russian and Belarusian athletes to Nordic skiing competitions in the coming winter season under neutral status.

The letter, signed by FIS president Johan Eliasch, secretary general Michel Vion and CEO Urs Lehmann, argues that athletes should not be discriminated against based on their birthplace and should be kept free from political pressure. It says FIS is politically neutral and cites the IOC’s decision to allow neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, as well as precedents from the Paris 2024 Games. It adds that athletes connected to the military or who have supported the war in Ukraine would still be barred, and team events would remain closed to Russian and Belarusian participation.

FIS plans to decide on October 21 via its council, not a full member vote. According to NRK, the letter asked members to submit their positions by Friday, promising confidential handling and that results would only inform internal discussion.

Reactions from Nordic countries are critical. Norway’s ski federation chair Tove Moe Dyrhaug, who also sits on the FIS council, told NRK she and Norway oppose readmission because the situation in Ukraine has not changed. Magnus Nedregotten, head of Norway’s athletes’ committee, welcomed the consultation but stressed the need for transparency about how responses are reported.

Finland’s ski federation also rejects the return. Chair Sirpa Korkatti told Helsingin Sanomat—and reiterated to Yle—that Finland opposes Russian participation and that Finland’s FIS council member Martti Uusitalo will represent that view. She noted that Russians will not be allowed to enter Finland for the Ruka World Cup opener in November regardless of FIS’s decision, due to national entry bans.

The article also notes that Russian national‑team skiers are currently training in Ramsau, Austria, where the Finnish team is also camping and staying at the same hotel—a situation Finland’s head coach Teemu Pasanen said does not affect their preparations.

The piece recalls that FIS excluded Russian athletes in winter 2022, officially citing inability to guarantee their safety in some countries—a concern that FIS acknowledges may still apply in certain places.

(Update at 20:41: Added Sirpa Korkatti’s comment to Yle reiterating Finland’s opposition.)