Russian athletes will not be allowed to the Olympics-2026: FIS decision.

According to inkorr.com: The Russian authorities decided not to hold alternative Olympic Games in 2026 in Milan-Cortina. This option is no longer being considered, although such a possibility was discussed earlier due to the lack of participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.

Details of the Winter Olympics-2026

The Winter Olympics in 2026 will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22. At the moment, only three Russian athletes have managed to qualify under a neutral status, as the Council of the International Ski Federation decided not to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete for qualification.

The FIS Council voted against the admission of athletes in individual neutral status (AIN) to the qualifying competitions for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan. The AIN status was developed by the International Olympic Committee as a possible path for athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the qualifying competitions for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the same time, each international federation retains the right to independently decide whether to allow these athletes to qualify or not.

Scandal with the Russian athlete

The decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes may impact Ukrainian interests in international competitions. Athletes from these countries who could qualify might compete in a transitional status at the Winter Olympics. It is also worth noting that Russian speed skater Daniil Naidenishev, recognized as a neutral athlete by the International Skating Union (ISU), expressed support for the Russian occupier Mikhail Lebedev through social media. This became known from his Instagram, as he follows Lebedev, who is participating in the war against Ukraine.

In the current situation, it is critically important for international sports organizations to consider the political context in which the competitions take place. The further development of events will depend on the decisions made by various federations, as well as on the positions of athletes, which may impact the image of sports events on the international stage.