Athletic Luge Races Excluding Russian Athletes in the Olympic Games
Let's Get the Scoop:
The International Luge Federation (FIL) ain't playin' games when it comes to excludin' Russian athletes from their events. Just recently, at their 73rd congress in Tampere, Finland, they declared that these athletes won't be allowed to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. FIL Prez, Einars Fogelis, said it straightforward: "We're here to maintain a fair and safe competition environment. We appreciate the diverse opinions in our community, especially from our athletes."
The FIL's stance on this has been solid since September 23, 2022, and this decision echoes the same sentiment. The main discussion revolved around whether Russian athletes could participate as "neutral athletes" under the rules set by the International Olympic Committee.
The Lowdown on the Vote
Leon Felderer, the guy in charge of the FIL Athletes' Commission, presented the findings from an anonymous survey of both artificial and natural track athletes at the congress. Turns out, opinions were mixed, with concerns over safety, doping, fairness, and equal opportunities in the Olympic qualification process. Felderer summed it up: "Different strokes for different folks. You've got varying concerns and arguments on both sides."
The vote followed, and a clear majority was in favor of sticking with the current policy: 24 folks voted for the exclusion, 7 against, and 1 was invalid. In the second round, the FIL executive team wasn't given the green light to develop a participation program for neutral Russian athletes. That means they can't take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics. A whopping 24 folks voted for a full-on exclusion, while 8 reckoned there should be a closer look at the "neutral athletes" regulation.
A Quick Peek at the Backstory
The ban on Russian athletes started way back in March 2022, when there was chaos in Ukraine. The sanctions against them were extended again in June 2024. So, if you're a Russian athlete dreamin' about the Winter Olympics, you best find another sport to focus on—you ain't invited to the FIL party[2][1][3].
What sports could Russian athletes turn to if they're not allowed to compete in the Winter Olympics?It seems there were mixed opinions among the athletes about whether Russian athletes should be allowed to participate as "neutral athletes" in the Winter Olympics.
