Russian athletes could return to FIS events, but one board member voted against it

Russian and Belarusian athletes may return to FIS competitions, but they will not be allowed to compete in relays or other team events. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation approved new rules at a two-day board meeting in Switzerland that ended Tuesday.

The athletes must compete as individuals and use no national symbols, including flags, anthems or national-team uniforms. They must also satisfy all current anti-doping requirements and demonstrate that they have no connection to the defense forces, military or army. Violations could lead to sanctions.

The wording of the neutrality declaration remains unclear in places. FIS says it will monitor the athletes continuously, but it has not explained how that monitoring will work. That leaves questions about how the criteria will be applied.

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I voted against bringing them back.

Tove Moe Dyrhaug, a Norwegian FIS board member and former ski federation president, said athletes who meet the declaration's conditions and prove they have no ties to the Russian army should be allowed to start. She said the rules resemble those used last season. Dyrhaug nevertheless voted against readmitting the athletes, arguing that nothing had changed while the war in Ukraine continued.

She said Nordic countries were more critical than many countries in central Europe. Russian athletes are often employed by the defense forces, and cross-country skier Aleksandr Bolshunov holds the rank of captain in the Russian army. Dyrhaug also said some younger Russian athletes could compete under the new rules, as they did at the Olympics, in the World Cup and at the junior world championships last season. FIS sports and events director Sandra Spitz did not respond to VG's text message seeking comment.

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Nordic countries are probably more critical than many other countries in central Europe, unfortunately.