Full Breakdown
Russian and Belarusian Skiers Granted Neutral Status for Olympic Qualifiers
12/10/2025, 9:41:57 PM
Approval of Neutral Status
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has approved nine skiers from Russia and Belarus to compete in qualifying events for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. This decision, announced on December 10, 2025, allows three Russian athletes and six Belarusian athletes, including notable former Olympic and world champions, to return to international competition after being excluded since the onset of the full military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The athletes are expected to participate in upcoming events, starting with the World Cup races in Davos, Switzerland, from December 12-14, 2025.
Criteria for Neutral Status
To qualify for neutral status, athletes must not have publicly supported the war in Ukraine and must not have affiliations with military or state security agencies. The approved athletes include Belarusian freestyle skier Hanna Huskova, who won gold in the women’s aerials at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and silver in Beijing in 2022. Other notable athletes include Russian cross-country skiers Saveliy Korostelev and Dariya Nepryaeva, both of whom are former world junior champions.
Context of Exclusion and Recent Developments
The approval comes after a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which mandated that FIS process applications for neutral status for Russian athletes. Prior to this, FIS had extended the suspension of Russian and Belarusian skiers for the entire 2025/26 season. The recent decision marks a significant shift, as the number of Russian athletes competing in Italy is expected to be fewer than 20, a stark decrease from over 200 who participated in the Beijing Winter Games, where they secured 32 medals, including five golds.
Official Statements & Responses
FIS has indicated that more decisions regarding neutral athletes will be made in the coming days and weeks. The federation did not disclose how many applications were rejected, nor did it specify the total number of athletes who applied for neutral status. The Russian ski federation reported that six athletes had sought this status.
Criticism & Opposition
The decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under neutral status has drawn mixed reactions. Critics argue that permitting these athletes to participate in international competitions undermines the sanctions imposed due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They contend that allowing athletes from nations involved in military aggression sends a conflicting message about accountability in sports.
What's Next
As the qualifying events approach, the situation remains fluid, with further announcements expected from FIS regarding additional athletes who may receive neutral status. The upcoming competitions will be critical for athletes seeking to qualify for the Winter Games, with the final opportunities for Olympic qualification in cross-country skiing occurring in Davos.
