Russian skiers will not be allowed to the Olympics-2026: reaction of the champion.

According to inkorr.com: Olympic champion Veronika Stepanova expressed her opinion on the exclusion of Russians from international competitions. She believes that such actions will negatively impact the rankings, revenues, and the future of skiing.

“They think they are punishing us, but in reality, they are punishing themselves. The rankings, revenues, and most importantly, the future of skiing will suffer; no one will win,” the athlete stated.

Hopes for Change

Stepanova also expressed hope that the president of the International Ski Federation, Mattias Eliash, will be able to implement reforms that will improve the situation. She is confident that she will be able to meet them at the updated World Cup.

Federation's Decision

The Council of the International Ski Federation has decided not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to the qualifying competitions for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2026. FIS reserves the right to determine who is eligible to participate in the competitions.

“The FIS Council voted against allowing athletes with an individual neutral status (AIN) to the qualifying competitions for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2026 in Milan,” FIS reported.

Reason for the Decision

This decision was the result of an incident involving Russian figure skater Daniil Naidenishev and his connections with the Russian occupier Mikhail Lebedev.

The situation surrounding the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus has caused significant resonance in the sports world, as experts say its impact on the global sports climate could be considerable. Many athletes, coaches, and sports organizations are cautiously watching the developments, hoping for fair decisions regarding participation in international competitions.