The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete as approved neutral participants this season. However, they must refrain from displaying any national symbols, as outlined by the governing body. To be eligible to compete in FIS events, individuals from these countries must sign a declaration of neutrality adhering to specified principles, with the warning of potential sanctions for non-compliance.

Russian skiers secured a favorable ruling in December from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, ending their nearly four-year ban from international competitions that was imposed during the conflict in Ukraine. This decision enabled Russian athletes to rejoin World Cup competitions in Alpine, cross-country, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding as they strive to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics scheduled for February.

The FIS ruling council has reaffirmed the policy allowing neutral athletes to participate in the upcoming winter season, starting next month. Participation is limited to individual events, with the strict condition that no national symbols, including flags, anthems, or uniforms, are permitted to be displayed during competitions.

Despite these allowances, Russian athletes and team officials may still encounter challenges obtaining visas to enter certain European countries where World Cup races are hosted.