A single document could change everything. On Tuesday, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) will decide whether Russia will be allowed back into world sports — and Norway and Sweden are furious.

On Tuesday, FIS will vote on whether Russian athletes will be permitted to compete again in the upcoming season. Ahead of the October 21 vote, FIS has sent out a letter and questionnaire to all national ski and snowboard federations.

Russian athletes have been banned from all FIS competitions since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

But now the suspension could be lifted. In September, FIS received a request from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), urging the federation to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag.

FIS emphasizes political neutrality

The issue was discussed during the federation’s autumn meeting in September. However, a final decision was postponed pending further review. Ahead of the October 21 board meeting, FIS has now sent a detailed letter and survey to all national federations — a document obtained by SVT and NRK.

Also Read: FIS postpones Russia and Belarus decision

The letter reportedly states: “It is very important to emphasize that our statutes state that FIS shall carry out its activities in a politically neutral manner,” and that “No athlete in the world chose where they were born. Therefore, we must support all active people through this – and ensure that athletes do not become weapons for political purposes.”

A clear yes or no

The FIS letter includes a link to a survey asking national ski and snowboard federations whether they believe FIS should allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in Olympic and Paralympic qualification events as neutral competitors, following IOC regulations.

Read More – IOC: Russians and Belarusians allowed to compete under neutral flag at 2026 Milano-Cortina

“This is not normal procedure”

FIS currently has 141 member nations, of which 79 are full members and 61 are associate members (one, Grenada, is suspended). How this survey will be used in Tuesday’s board meeting remains unclear. The FIS Congress, which gathers all nations once a year, is the federation’s highest authority, but between congresses, decisions are made by the board.

Norwegian Ski Federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug, who will participate in the meeting, made Norway’s stance clear:

“There is no doubt about where I stand on this matter, neither I nor the Norwegian Ski Association. We do not want the Russians back,” Dyrhaug told NRK.

NRK commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt believes the letter and survey show that controversial FIS President Johan Eliasch is using all possible means to bring Russian athletes back — something he has openly supported multiple times.

“This is not normal procedure,” Saltvedt said. “I interpret this to mean that the FIS president is willing to use all means to get the Russians back in the Olympics. That could be what tips the scales in the Russians’ favor. On Tuesday, the Russians could be back, and then there will be noise.”

Athletes say no

Norwegian and Swedish athletes are crystal clear: a firm no.

While several acknowledge that they would like to compete against the Russians from a purely sporting standpoint, they insist the war must end first. Some have gone even further — Swedish star Linn Svahn has said she would withdraw from the Olympics if Russians were allowed to participate.

Also Read – Ready to boycott Olympics: “Then I don’t want to compete”

Both the Norwegian and Swedish Ski Federations strongly oppose Russian participation under the current circumstances.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan–Cortina from February 6 to 22.

Bolshunov serves as a military captain

To qualify as “neutral,” athletes must meet strict criteria set by the IOC, including anti-doping compliance and a requirement that no one affiliated with active military forces or who openly supports the war may compete.

That makes it doubtful that any of Russia’s most prominent stars could qualify for neutral status. Many have military ranks or have publicly supported the invasion.

Alexander Bolshunov, one of the stars of the 2022 Olympics with five medals (three gold), holds the rank of captain in the Russian National Guard and took part in the 2022 rally at Luzhniki Stadium celebrating the annexation of Crimea.

Veronika Stepanova, who won Olympic relay gold in 2022, has repeatedly voiced support for both Putin and the war while criticizing Western nations.

Story being updated.

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