The International Ski Federation (FIS) has rejected Russians and Belarusians from participating in the Olympic qualifying competitions for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Athletes were supposed to compete in an individual neutral status (AIN), but the FIS Council decided to vote against their participation. Each international federation has the right to independently decide whether to allow athletes to qualify or not.
«The FIS Council voted against the admission of athletes in individual neutral status (AIN) to the qualifying competitions for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan. The AIN status was developed by the International Olympic Committee as a potential way for athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the qualifying competitions for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. At the same time, each international federation retains the right to independently decide whether to allow these athletes to qualify or not», – says the FIS press service.
It has also become known that Russian speed skater Daniil Naidenishev supports the occupier Mikhail Lebedev, who is participating in the war against Ukraine. Naidenishev is a subscriber to Lebedev's Instagram page and liked a post in support of Russian aggression from gymnast Mykyta Nahornyi.
Comment: The International Ski Federation made the decision to reject Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the Olympic qualifying competitions. This decision concerns the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. It also turned out that one of the Russian athletes actively supports the actions of the occupier in the military conflict with Ukraine.