Cas decided that Russian and Belarusian cross-country skiers, snowboarders, hill jumpers and freestyle skiers will be allowed to participate in the Olympics.
Juha Mieto, 76, is an Olympic champion and a five-time medalist. PASI LEISMA
In its decision recorded on Tuesday, the International Court of Appeal for Sports, Cas, announces that Russian and Belarusian cross-country skiers, snowboarders, hill jumpers and freestyle skiers will be allowed to participate in the Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympic medals will be contested in Milan and Cortina from February 6.
– If the Russians can participate, it will be interesting for the spectators, the skiing legend Juha Mieto comment.
– If we start thinking like politicians and this law, that’s a separate matter.
Do you think the decision is the right one?
– You can almost say, Mieto answers.
– The Olympics are once every four years. This is why I justify it.
What kind of condition do you think the Russian athletes are in after the long international competition break?
– It’s hard to say. Some are probably in damn good condition.
At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Russian athletes won 32 medals and Belarusian athletes won two medals.
The international skiing federation Fis ruled earlier this fall that Russian and Belarusian skiers may not participate in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, even as neutral athletes. Russia appealed the decision to Cas.
With Cas’ recent decision, Russians and Belarusians are allowed to participate in Milano-Cortina as neutral athletes. The procedure is the same as in Paris in the summer of 2024.