MOSCOW, Oct 8 President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Johan Eliash said that the issue of the return of Russian athletes to international competitions will depend on the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). At the end of February, FIS suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions due to events in Ukraine. The decision was open-ended as long as it remains in effect and is due to be reviewed by the FIS Council on 22 October. Earlier, FIS Secretary General Michel Vion said that the organization is considering allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag. «We are closely following the actions of the IOC and will follow what they say. Regardless of what their decision is? Rather everything, yes,» Eliash Dagbladet quotes. At the end of September, President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe said that at a meeting with the FIS leadership she was given to understand that after the announcement of partial mobilization in Russia and referendums in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the issue of granting neutral status to Russian athletes is actually removed from the FIS agenda.
