The President of the Ski Federation supported the return of 'neutral' athletes to competitions.

The President of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Johan Eliasch supported the idea of returning Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions in a 'neutral' status. He expressed this position during an interview with Radiosporten.

After the start of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from participating in all competitions organized by FIS, including cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, and other disciplines. FIS began to consider the admission of athletes from these countries but maintained sanctions in place, specifically until the 2024/25 season.

Eliasch supports the idea of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in a 'neutral' status, similar to the 2024 Olympic Games when the International Olympic Committee allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in competitions without national flags.

«It turned out very well with Belarusian and Russian athletes. In these matters, it is important to have neutrality. Athletes are not responsible for where they were born and should not be restricted», - stated Eliasch.

This statement from Eliasch comes amid his preparation for the election of the President of the International Olympic Committee. In August 2024, the current head of the organization, Thomas Bach, announced that he would not change his position after the end of his second term, which concludes in 2025.

The sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes remain in effect until the end of the 2024/25 season. Currently, the qualifying cycle for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games is underway in various FIS disciplines, so the barred athletes are missing the first year of competitions in which athletes will compete for the right to obtain licenses for the competitions in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.