On October 22, the International Ski and Snowboarding Federation (FIS) is expected to decide about Russian and Belarusian participation in this winter’s international competitions. Yesterday, IOC President Thomas Bach stressed that “the sanctions must and will remain in place.”

In mid-September, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) decided that the suspension of Russian and Belarusian skiers would remain. A couple of weeks later, Ski Classics, in a press release, prolonged the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and Pro Teams. 

Yesterday, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach addressed the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Seoul where, according to a press release from the International Olympic Committee, he said that “the sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments imposed by the IOC must and will remain firmly in place,” and also appealed to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs):

“Let us not divide our precious Olympic Movement. Let us together walk this path of unity and peace. Let us together live up to our Olympic mission. Keep following the sanctions and protective measures. Do not do less because doing less means you divide the Olympic Movement. Do not do more because doing more means you divide the Olympic Movement.”