LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — On Friday, the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation made a significant decision to bar Russian bobsled and skeleton athletes from competing in the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. This ruling stems from ongoing geopolitical tensions and follows a similar stance taken by the International Luge Federation in June.
The decision was reached during a congress held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, which will host the sliding events for the Winter Games in February 2026. The federation conducted a secret ballot and ultimately voted against the possibility of allowing Russian athletes to compete as individuals with neutral status. These athletes have been excluded from participating in major international competitions, including World Cup races and world championships, since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Following the vote, the federation released a statement indicating that the decision was made after extensive discussions. It noted that participation as neutral athletes was not granted. While Russian officials indicated that the vote was not unanimous, the outcome was anticipated given the current political climate surrounding Russia's international sporting presence.
Even if the federation had chosen to allow Russian athletes to compete, the path to qualifying for the Milan-Cortina Games would have been incredibly difficult. Russian athletes have not participated in top international events for more than three years, which raises concerns about their competitive readiness and whether any available sleds would be capable of securing Olympic qualification.
While there is a possibility for Russia to appeal this decision, time is of the essence as the World Cup season begins on November 21 at the Cortina track, and the Milan-Cortina Olympics are set to commence on February 6, 2026.
U.S. bobsledder Kaillie Humphries commented on the situation, emphasizing that the decision was not surprising and expressing concerns about fairness to athletes from Ukraine and other nations with ties to the conflict. She highlighted the potential for a "whole storm of issues" if Russian athletes were allowed to compete under a neutral banner.
In the 2022 Beijing Games, 28 Russian athletes participated under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee, rather than the actual Russian flag, as part of sanctions resulting from a state-sponsored doping scandal associated with the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The Beijing Games concluded just four days before the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Notably, Russian athlete Tatyana Ivanova secured a bronze medal in women's singles luge at those Games.
As for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Russia and its military ally Belarus were excluded from team sports. However, athletes in individual sports could apply for neutral status. Ultimately, 32 Russian athletes received invitations to compete, having passed eligibility tests that required them not to publicly endorse the war or have connections to military and state security entities.
Overall, the ruling by the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation underscores the ongoing repercussions of geopolitical issues in the realm of international sports. The exclusion of Russian athletes reflects a broader stance taken by various sports governing bodies regarding participation, particularly in the wake of the Ukraine conflict.
