Russia banned as neutral athletes at Winter qualifiers

Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete as neutral athletes in qualification events for next year's Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina following a vote by the sport's governing body on Tuesday.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation's (FIS) decision means that, unless a late change occurs, Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders will not take part in the Games, which begin on 6 February.

In September, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Winter Games under a neutral flag and strict conditions, as they did at the Paris Olympics, but the final decision would rest with individual sports federations.

Last year, 15 neutral Russians and 17 neutral Belarusians accepted an Olympic invitation to compete at the summer Games.

Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) - athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport - have been banned from many sports since the war against Ukraine began in 2022.

Russian figure skaters Adeliia Petrosian and Viktoriia Safonova have secured their places at the Winter Games but will have to compete as AINs.

Last month, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted to lift partial suspensions meaning Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete under their own flag at the Paralympics and World Para-sport events.

The Winter Paralympics take place from 6-15 March.

In a statement, the FIS said: "The International Olympic Committee's AIN regime has been set out as a possible pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Olympic Games, with each International Federation remaining responsible for the decision on whether to allow these athletes to take part in its existing qualification system."