The International Ski Federation (FIS) has extended the suspension on Russian and Belarusian athletes following its autumn gathering in Zurich, according to Lars Oberg, who leads the Swedish Ski Association. Oberg spoke to Aftonbladet to relay the decision and its rationale to Nordic sports communities and beyond.
From Sweden’s and the broader Nordic region’s vantage point, the decision reinforces a steady stance on the unresolved geopolitical dynamics surrounding Russia and Belarus in international sport. Oberg noted that the outcome underscores an important point: there was no shift in the federation’s position, despite varying opinions and some uncertainties that arose during the discussions. The extended ban is viewed as a continuity of the previous policy rather than a pivot in strategy.
Oberg emphasized that there was no new debate about the measure. He highlighted that additional information was shared, and the message was clear not only to Nordic bodies and the Swedish Olympic Committee but also to Russia and Belarus: there is no current basis for returning athletes to the pre-ban status. The stance is a unified line among the Northern countries, reflecting a collective approach to maintain the status quo until conditions change.
Sweden, together with its Nordic neighbours, has maintained this policy since the initial decision to suspend athletes from Russia and Belarus. The overarching sentiment expressed by Oberg is cautious satisfaction with the decision, paired with a somber recognition that the approach must be sustained. In his words, the strategy will continue, even if the road ahead remains challenging for athletes affected by the restrictions.
The policy at the time of the spring 2022 decision placed Russia and Belarus athletes out of international competition through the end of the 2021/22 season. That suspension was later extended on October 22, 2022, extending into the following season. This framework has guided participation in major events and has shaped ongoing discussions about eligibility for international stages.
It is relevant to note that the current decisions affect not only the prospect of competing at the highest levels but also the broader composition of teams and national representation in events that draw international attention. The situation has required close coordination among Nordic sports bodies, national committees, and the global federation to ensure that messaging remains consistent and that policy continuity is preserved across seasons.
In the context of recent developments, there are ongoing conversations about how these suspensions influence athletes, teams, and national programs planning for the coming years. While some athletes from Russia were allowed to participate in certain events—such as the 2024 Paralympic Games—this exception does not alter the general policy that has guided international competition. The federation’s stance remains a defining element of how the sport addresses geopolitical realities and the expectations of member nations in North America and Europe.
Observers in North America and across Canada and the United States are watching closely how the FIS balances competitive fairness with diplomatic considerations, particularly as global sports organizations navigate complex international tensions. The ongoing dialogue among national bodies, athletes, and the federation underscores the careful, sometimes slow, process of policy formation in international sport. The ultimate goal, as outlined by the Nordic coalition, is to preserve the integrity of competition while awaiting a change in the broader geopolitical environment that could alter eligibility rules.
As the season progresses, stakeholders will continue to assess the impact of the policy on training programs, youth development, and the pipeline of athletes who aspire to compete on the world stage. The extended suspension serves as a reminder that sport remains deeply interconnected with international affairs, and decisions at the federation level can ripple across clubs, regions, and national teams for years to come. Attachments and further notes from the autumn conference in Zurich will likely inform forthcoming discussions and potential future revisions to the eligibility framework.