International Ski Mountaineering Federation allowed Belarusians and Russians to qualify for Olympics
The International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) has allowed Belarusian and Russian athletes to participate in international competitions of the 2024/2025 season, provided they obtain a neutral status, TASS reports
Ski mountaineering competitions will make their Olympic debut in 2026 in Italy, where 36 athletes (18 men and women each) will compete for the medals of the Games.
Belarusian and Russian athletes who have expressed a desire to obtain a neutral status need to write a corresponding application to the ISMF and attach a number of documents to it. If athletes successfully pass the check, they will be able to return to the world stage as neutrals.
At the moment, no other international federation for winter Olympic sports has given Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to perform at international competitions, even in a neutral status.
Ski mountaineering is a winter sport where competitors race through snow-covered mountains. The discipline includes uphill skiing with or without skis, as well as downhill skiing. During the race up the mountain, a special tape – camus – is put on the skis, which prevents them from sliding.
