The FIS Council met today to discuss the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board recommendation that all International Federations not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in their competitions. The recommendation followed escalating security and safety issues faced by the athletes and local organisers.

The IOC EB stated: “In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.”

To ensure the safety and security of all athletes at FIS competitions, the FIS Council decided unanimously, in line with the IOC recommendation, that with immediate effect, no Russian or Belarusian athlete shall participate in any FIS competition at any level through the end of the 2021-2022 season.

The FIS Council does not take the decision lightly not to allow any athlete to participate in any competition and is only doing so in accordance with the FIS Statues, which states ‘FIS shall conduct its activities in a politically neutral manner’, which is a cornerstone of the FIS values adopted by its 140 member nations.  

FIS calls on its National Ski Associations to support the involved athletes as they travel back to their homes and for the full support of the international ski community during these difficult times.

The Council expressed its deepest and sincerest hope that the conflict in Ukraine will come to an end quickly and that the international sports community can begin the process of healing and once again compete with all athletes and nations present.

As previously announced, FIS, in solidarity with the Ski Federation of Ukraine, is providing immediate financial, logistical and technical support to Ukrainian athletes and teams until they are safely able to return home.