Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, lugers from Russia remain banned. The world association extends the ban – unlike recommended by the IOC.
The coming luge season will also take place without athletes from Russia due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. These remain closed, as the luge world association Fil decided at its congress in the Romanian capital Bucharest. 22 member nations spoke out in favor, one was against, five abstained.
All athletes, coaches and other officials of the Russian Luge Federation will remain banned from Fil competitions until further notice to ensure “safety” and “peaceful sports competitions with integrity,” according to a statement from the federation. As long as the war that began in February 2022 lasts, the Russians will be left out in the sport of luge. Russian athletes were already excluded last winter for this reason.
The Fil does not follow the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally as neutral athletes again under certain conditions, despite the war in Ukraine.
The world gymnastics association Fig had also stuck to the exclusion of Russians and Belarusians. Other federations, such as the World Judo Federation, had re-admitted Russian and Belarusian judoka as neutral athletes at the World Championships following the IOC recommendation. That’s why Ukraine boycotted the World Cup. The world cycling association UCI has also allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international events under strict conditions.