CAS Partially Lifts Ban on Russian, Belarusian Athletes

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has permitted the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status in qualification events organised by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (OWG 2026).

The ruling was delivered in appeals challenging a resolution of the FIS Council, which had decided “not to facilitate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in FIS qualification events for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2026.”

The appeals were filed by the Russian Ski Association (RSF), 12 Russian athletes and para-athletes, the Russian Paralympic Committee, the Belarusian Ski Union (BSU), and five Belarusian athletes. The CAS Panels held that the FIS Statutes require political neutrality and prohibit discrimination against individuals, as reflected in Article 5.2. On this basis, the appeals were partially upheld, with the Panels finding that the FIS decision amounted to a blanket exclusion of athletes based on nationality, irrespective of whether they satisfied the eligibility requirements for AIN status.

At the same time, the CAS dismissed requests seeking permission for other Russian athletes, support personnel, and officials to participate in upcoming competitions. The Panels also declined to issue directions on the formulation or application of AIN eligibility criteria, holding that these matters fall within the regulatory competence of the FIS.

Following the events of 2022, several international sports federations adopted measures restricting Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation in international competitions. In a related development, CAS had, in November, permitted the participation of Russian athletes under AIN status in competitions organised by the International Luge Federation (FIL).