Russian bobsleigh and skeleton athletes will not participate in the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo next year, after the world headquarters (IBSF), which governs these two sports, made such a decision, BTA reported.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation has rejected the idea that could allow Russian athletes to compete as individual athletes with neutral status. The decision was made unanimously during the federation's congress in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy - the venue for the sliding competitions for the Winter Games in February. Thus, this structure followed the policy of the International Luge Federation, which in June made the same decision - no Russians at the Winter Olympics even as neutral athletes under the Olympic flag. The two federations are part of a larger sports family that voted to ban Russian athletes from international competition after their country invaded Ukraine in 2022.
"After extensive discussions, the Congress decided by secret ballot to not allow Russian athletes to participate as neutral athletes in IBSF events," the federation said. "The discussions were only about whether all athletes should be restricted or whether some could be exempted, but ultimately that's what we ended up with".
"I can't speak for every athlete, but I can speak for myself, and I don't think it's a surprise," U.S. bobsledder Kylie Humphries said Friday. "Even if they were allowed in, how would that work? Is it fair to Ukraine, to Ukrainian athletes, to other athletes who may have family or connections there? That would just create a whole storm of problems".
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, there were 28 Russian athletes in these sports - 10 in luge, six in skeleton and 12 in bobsleigh - competing under the Russian Olympic Committee flag, not the Russian state flag.
It is theoretically possible for Russia to appeal the decision, although time is running out. But even if they win at CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), they will have to fight for a place in Milano-Cortina through the qualifiers, which is no guarantee of success given their lack of international participation to date.