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IF18 Dec 2025, 23:18 from InsideTheGames
Three Russian lugers will compete in this weekend's Lake Placid World Cup, while three others have had their International Neutral Athlete (AIN) status revoked due to concerns over their neutrality. The International Luge Federation (FIL) made the decision after reviewing the athletes' eligibility, citing "new and previously unknown facts." This follows a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes meeting AIN criteria. The FIL initially banned Russian athletes in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, but Russia has challenged these decisions legally.
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IF14 Dec 2025, 23:14 from InsideTheGames
Russian weightlifter Mikhail Gobeev has received an additional four-year ban for violating anti-doping rules, extending his initial four-year suspension to eight years. The International Testing Agency (ITA) imposed the sanction for continued involvement in weightlifting activities while suspended. Separately, Kazakh para-powerlifter Aigerim Aidarkyzy has been banned for two years after testing positive for furosemide at the Tbilisi 2025 Para Powerlifting World Cup, resulting in the forfeiture of her results from the competition.
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IF13 Dec 2025, 19:31 from InsideTheGames
Russian biathletes, along with their federation and Paralympic committee, have filed a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the International Biathlon Union's (IBU) ban and secure participation in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The IBU maintains its stance against a neutral athlete pathway, citing its rules and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This legal action follows recent court decisions overturning blanket bans in other Winter Olympic sports, creating a divergence in policy. Leading athletes like Sebastian Samuelsson and Elvira Öberg have voiced support for the IBU’s position.
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IF13 Dec 2025, 19:28 from InsideTheGames
Following a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) will now allow eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes, including para-athletes, to participate in all FIS events. This includes qualification events for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games. The ruling stems from a challenge to FIS's previous ban, with CAS finding that FIS statutes protect individuals from discrimination and require political neutrality. The updated policy mandates direct athlete applications to FIS, excluding involvement from national ski associations of Russia and Belarus. FIS has updated its list of approved athletes and support personnel.
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IF11 Dec 2025, 20:35 from InsideTheGames
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.