FIL Congress disallows Russian athletes from Milano-Cortina 2026

Tampere (FIL/June 18, 2025) At its 73rd Congress in Tampere, Finland, the International Luge Federation (FIL) has voted to continue the exclusion of Russian athletes from FIL competitions, including the qualification process for the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. The decision was made through a democratic vote held on June 18, 2025.

Agenda item 8.2 once again addressed whether Russian athletes and officials should remain excluded from the FIL events, in line with the resolutions passed by the FIL Executive Board on September 23, 2022, and reaffirmed at the 72nd FIL Congress in Lake Placid in 2024.

A lively and engaged discussion followed among the Congress delegates. Leon Felderer, Chair of the FIL Athletes’ Commission, presented the results of an anonymous survey conducted among athletes from artificial and natural track disciplines. The survey revealed a broad range of concerns and opinions regarding safety, Olympic quotas, anti-doping compliance, and fairness. “Athletes hold a wide range of views. There are many concerns and arguments on both sides,” Felderer summarized.

The first vote asked whether to uphold the 2022 and 2024 resolutions. 24 delegates voted in favor of continuing the exclusion, while seven voted against and one ballot was invalid.

A second vote followed, in which the Congress decided not to authorize the FIL Executive Board to develop an AIN program for neutral Russian athletes. As a result, Russian athletes and their entourage will not be permitted to participate in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Again, 24 delegates voted for the exclusion, while eight supported the possibility of participation under the AIN (Athletes with Individual Neutrality) concept.

FIL President Einars Fogelis commented on the decision: “The Congress has made its position clear. This outcome reflects our collective responsibility to uphold fair and safe competition. We fully respect the diversity of views within our community, especially from our athletes.”

With this decision, the FIL reaffirms its commitment to integrity, safety, and solidarity in international sport.