Neutral Banner: Russia, Belarus Skiers Get Chance to Qualify for 2026 Olympics

Image Source: Internet

In a significant turn of events, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has granted permission to 9 athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in Olympic qualifying events for the Milan-Cortina Games. The decision comes after a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling overturned the FIS ban on athletes from the two countries. The ban, imposed since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prohibited competitors from Russia and Belarus from participating in FIS events. However, with the new ruling, Olympic gold medalist Hanna Huskova (Belarus) and world champion Anastasia Tatalina (Russia) can now attempt to qualify for the Games. According to FIS, the list of eligible athletes will continue to grow as more eligibility reviews are conducted. The International Olympic Committee had previously announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus would be allowed to compete under a neutral banner, provided they meet strict conditions, including competing under a neutral flag, participating in individual events, and undergoing checks to prove they did not support the war in Ukraine or have any links with the army. This move is similar to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians competed under a neutral banner, winning a combined five medals. Two Russian figure skaters and one Belarusian have already been cleared to compete under a neutral flag for the upcoming Olympics.