OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES MILANO/CORTINA 2026; LUGE AND SPEED SKATING
THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS) RULES ON TWO APPEALS BY RUSSIAN ATHLETES AND A NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER GAMES
Lausanne, 31 October 2025 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued two decisions concerning the participation of Russian athletes for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano/Cortina 2026 (OWG 2026). An appeal by the Russian Luge Federation (RLF) and six Russian athletes against the International Luge Federation (FIL) was partially upheld but with the athletes’ joint appeal dismissed. An appeal by speed skater Daria Kachanova against the International Skating Union (ISU) was dismissed.
The first procedure is an appeal by the RLF and six Russian athletes (Aleksandr Gorbatsevich, Sofiia Mazur, Andrei Bogdanov, Iurii Prokhorov, Ekaterina Fomina and Polina Grigore) against the FIL. During its 73rd congress on 18 June 2025, the FIL decided to extend its resolution to suspend the participation of RLF athletes, coaches and officials from FIL competitions, citing risks to the safety of competitions. It also decided not to implement a programme that allowed the participation of Russian athletes under Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status. Filed on 8 July 2025, the appeal sought to annul both decisions and request that the athletes immediately participate in international FIL events, including the qualification process for the OWG 2026.
A virtual hearing took place on Friday 24 October 2025. The CAS Panel heard the argument by the FIL that the participation of Russian athletes would increase the risk of incidents caused by the public, or by other athletes, and that their exclusion was not meant to be a sanction based on nationality. The Panel considered that the overall exclusion of Russian athletes was not a proportionate measure to achieve the only purpose sought by FIL (i.e. preserve safe racing conditions), since additional measures could be found to conciliate safety with the participation of Russian athletes. The Panel ruled that the exclusion of RLF athletes from FIL competitions is maintained, but the prohibition of Russian athletes who satisfy the criteria of AINs to compete is set aside. Consequently, the appeal was partially upheld. The request by the six athletes to immediately participate in international events was dismissed.
The second procedure is an appeal by Daria Kachanova against the ISU. Filed on 4 June 2025, it contests a decision by the ISU on 12 May 2025 that rejected the athlete’s inclusion on the list of AINs eligible to compete in the qualifying competitions for the OWG 2026. This rejection was based on a report that outlined Ms Kachanova’s affiliation with CSKA Moscow, a sports club controlled by the Ministry of Defence of Russia.
For further information related to CAS activity and procedures, please contact either Matthieu Reeb, CAS Director General,
or Vanessa Tracey, Communications Officer. Palais de Beaulieu, av. Bergières 10, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland. www.tas-cas.org
The case was heard virtually on 17 October 2025 where the Panel considered the arguments by Ms Kachanova and the ISU. The CAS Panel found by majority that the ISU’s approach not deeming the athlete eligible for neutral status was correct. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed.
These are unofficial summaries for media use. Both decisions were issued without grounds, which will follow in due course. Unless Parties request confidentiality, the awards will be published on the CAS website.
