Russian, Belarusian Skiers Cleared to Compete in 2026 Olympics Under Neutral Banner

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In a major development, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has overturned a ban on Russian and Belarusian skiers, paving the way for them to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics under a neutral banner. The ruling, announced on Tuesday, states that athletes from the two countries who meet the International Olympic Committee's eligibility criteria can compete in qualification events organized by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. The decision marks a significant victory for Russian and Belarusian athletes, who had been banned from competing in International Ski Federation events since 2022 due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, many had hoped to participate in the Olympics under a neutral flag. The International Olympic Committee had already announced in September that athletes from Russia and Belarus could compete at the Olympics if they met strict conditions. The Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling supports this stance, citing the International Ski Federation's statutes, which aim to protect individuals from discrimination and maintain political neutrality. Russia has welcomed the ruling, with its sports minister, Mikhail Degtyarev, noting that this is the third court decision in favor of Russia in winter Olympic sports. The 2026 Winter Olympics are set to take place in Milan-Cortina from February 6-22, 2026.