FIS maintains ban on Russia
Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig i: Norsk bokmål Русский Українська
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation maintains the exclusion of Russia and Belarus. Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from participation in all FIS sports activities. Russia for its attack on Ukraine, Belarus for its active participation by allowing the attack to take place partly from its territory.
A divided FIS
There was clearly a split in FIS before the decision to continue the ban was made. FIS President Johan Eliasch was one of those who wanted to allow athletes from the countries under certain conditions. Among other things, they had to compete under a neutral flag and not be part of the military or have given public support to the illegal invasion under international law.
Today, however, the FIS decided to extend the ban. Representatives from the major skiing nations Norway, Sweden, Finland and Germany are likely to have tipped the balance in favor of a continued ban.
Why is exclusion important?
Many argue that politics and sport should not mix. This is completely wrong. Sport has always been used in a political game. Moreover, it is totally immoral for athletes from an aggressive warmonger to participate in the Olympics and World Cup, while the attacked party has active athletes who are desperately trying to defend their homeland.
A sports and cultural boycott is important together with other measures. Sanctions are examples of such measures. Exclusion from sports and culture is a major blow to Russian pride. This is a message from the world that the assault on Ukraine is not acceptable.
Aleksandr Bolshunov the biggest Russian star
Russia is missing in cross-country skiing. Together with Norway and Sweden, Russia is one of the major nations in this sport. The biggest star among Russian cross-country skiers is Aleksandr Bolshunov. Of course, we’d love to see him and other Russians take part in international competitions. But before this can happen, Russia must stop killing hundreds of thousands of people.
Fortunately, FIS didn’t fall into the temptation of thinking about all the Russian sponsors that are gone. There are values that are worth much more. FIS’s decision is a victory for peace and a message to Russia that this is not acceptable.
Updated: December 2, 2025
Russia and Belarusian athletes appealed FIS’ decision to CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport of the Olympic Committee). Here the athletes were partially successful. This means that they can participate under neutral flags, and that they must not be affiliated with the Russian army or show support for the Russian war against Ukraine. I deeply regret this decision. Russian athletes are not welcome as long as the illegal war of aggression continues.
Sources:
Aftonbladet: Russians stopped from competing internationally
Dagsavisen: FIS keeps the door closed – does not open for Russian participation in the Olympics