Elena Vyalbe, president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, publicly commented on the future of Russian and Belarusian athletes as international governance debates continued to unfold in world snow sports. Her remarks intersected with statements from Juhan Elias, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, who signaled a willingness to consider a neutral status but stressed that any decision would involve a broad process rather than a single voice. Odds.ru covered the exchange as part of the ongoing discussion among sports leaders.
During an interview, Elias said the February FIS meeting would reveal the council’s decision, and he stressed that the president of the federation does not decide alone. The process requires input from multiple committees and national associations before a binding action can be announced.
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee urged international federations to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions, citing the broader geopolitical context. The IOC emphasized that the autonomy of individual sport bodies does not override safety and fairness concerns in Olympic competition.
Following those recommendations, the spring 2022 season saw the FIS suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events through the end of the season. The suspension was later extended, keeping Russian competitors off the global stage and limiting most participation to domestic circuits outside the FIS calendar. The measure aligned with actions taken by other federations seeking to uphold competitive integrity amid a tense international climate. Russian skiers continued to compete, but within national or regional settings rather than in major international events.
Earlier, a ski coach had stated that Russia would not be allowed to achieve neutral status at all, signaling the broader debate over how neutrality is defined in sport under geopolitical pressures. Over time, policy talks have kept evolving, and many athletes faced a challenging path back to the world stage depending on decisions at IOC, FIS, and national federations. The situation remains fluid as new meetings could reshape eligibility and representation in major competitions.