A landmark decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) today has overturned the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in international competitions governed by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The ruling, issued today, mandates that FIS allow eligible athletes from both nations to participate, reversing a prohibition initially enacted following russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 [[3]]. Athletes will be permitted to compete provided they meet strict neutrality requirements set forth by the International Olympic Committee, a condition focusing on non-affiliation with military structures and a lack of public support for the ongoing conflict.
A major ruling has overturned the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in international competitions, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced today. The decision compels the International Ski Federation (FIS) to allow athletes from both countries to participate, effectively lifting the prohibition that was put in place on October 21, 2025.
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“Russian and Belarusian athletes who meet the IOC’s neutrality requirements will be eligible to participate in competitions organized by FIS. The FIS statutes protect individuals from discrimination and require FIS to maintain political neutrality. Therefore, the appeals have been partially upheld, as the FIS decision excluded all Russian and Belarusian athletes based on nationality, without considering whether they meet the criteria for neutrality,” read a statement released by CAS.
The IOC’s neutrality principles, as referenced by CAS, stipulate that athletes must have no affiliation with Russian military structures and must not have publicly expressed support for the aggression in Ukraine.
Russia’s Minister of Sport, Mikhail Degtyarev, quickly commented on the news via Telegram. “We have achieved victory. FIS is now obligated to open its competitions to our athletes,” the politician wrote.
Russian and Belarusian Athletes Set to Return to Competition “Immediately”
The ruling calls for the “immediate” admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to “all international competitions” organized by the federation. This means athletes from both nations could be back in action almost instantly. The decision impacts a wide range of disciplines, including cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, alpine skiing, and snowboarding.
Tove Moe Dyrhaug, President of the Norwegian Ski Association, released a press statement expressing her disappointment with the CAS decision. “Norway has a firm stance on this issue, but of course, we must address this together with other FIS member states. We need some time to figure out what happens next,” said Dyrhaug, a vocal opponent of Russia’s return to international competition.
FIS initially banned Russia from competition days after the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, Russian athletes have been unable to compete in World Cups, World Championships, or the Olympics, even under a “neutral flag.”
