The Four Hills Tournament, a prestigious ski jumping competition held in Austria and Germany, will for the first time include a women's competition during the 2026/27 season. This landmark decision, driven by funding for infrastructure improvements including floodlights at the Innsbruck venue, marks a significant step towards gender equality in snow sports. International Ski Federation (FIS) President Johan Eliasch hailed the move as a 'true milestone,' and athletes have welcomed the long-awaited inclusion. The integration will require regulatory adjustments and calendar modifications, with potential women's competitions preceding men's qualifying rounds.

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games approaching, the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes remains a complex issue. A recent CAS ruling overturned a total exclusion of Russian and Belarusian skiers, but access to qualification events is just the first step. While some disciplines are considering neutral status participation, others, like biathlon and team sports, maintain stricter bans. The IOC has ruled out national teams in ice hockey and curling. The overall number of eligible athletes is expected to be small, and key decisions are likely to be made close to the Games.

Following a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has expanded its list of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) to include five Russian athletes and two technical staff members. This decision allows them to compete in FIS events, including qualification events for the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite a previous ban. The move comes after the Russian Ski Association appealed FIS's blanket ban, and CAS ruled that FIS statutes require political neutrality and prohibit discrimination. FIS must also allow Russian para-athletes to participate under IPC guidelines.

After a protracted legal battle and political hurdles, Russia's luge team has secured visas to compete in the second round of the International Luge Federation (FIL) World Cup in Park City, Utah. This follows a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling overturning the FIL's earlier prohibition. The move signifies a step towards reintegrating Russian athletes into international competition, though challenges remain, including ongoing disputes with the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the International Luge Federation regarding qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev played a key role in securing the visas.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) has released the initial list of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) who will be eligible to compete in qualifying events for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Nine Russian and Belarusian athletes have been approved, pending their formal agreement to conditions linked to their status. This process, influenced by a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling, involves rigorous reviews and independent verification to ensure compliance with the Individual Neutral Athletes Policy and separation of sport from political considerations. The FIS anticipates further applications and updates to the list in the coming weeks.