The CAS declared this Thursday that it was incompetent to examine Alexander Bolshunov’s appeal. The Russian cross-country skier was banned by the FIS from competing under a neutral flag.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) declared itself incompetent on Thursday to examine the appeal filed by Alexander Bolshunov, a Russian cross-country skier to whom the International Ski Federation (FIS) refused participation in the Milan Cortina Olympics (February 6-22) under a neutral flag.
“Filed on January 28, Mr. Bolshunov’s motion sought a ruling recognizing his eligibility to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics as an individual neutral athlete.”specifies the CAS, the highest court in the sporting world, in a press release.
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This status had been refused to Alexander Bolshunov, three-time Olympic champion and five-time medalist in Beijing in 2022, by the dedicated FIS examination committee in a decision rendered on December 24, 2025, recalls the CAS.
Or la “Ad Hoc Chamber of the CAS for the 2026 Winter Olympics has been established to resolve disputes only to the extent that they arise during the 2026 Winter Olympics or during a period of 10 days preceding the opening ceremony”continued the press release.
“Consequently, the dispute had to have arisen no later than January 27, 2026 to fall within its jurisdiction” et “the case could not be examined”concludes the CAS.
THE “rooms for this” are specific temporary divisions created by the CAS during international sporting events (Olympics, Asian Games, World Cup, etc.) in order to resolve disputes within a very short period of time, we can read on the court’s website.
Renewing in mid-September the system adopted for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the IOC opened the way for Russian and Belarusian participation under a neutral banner as long as the athletes concerned are not under contract with the army and have not actively supported the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Historically dominant in cross-country skiing, the Russians won nearly a third of the medals at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
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