From Tampere, FIN
(June 18, 2025) – The International Luge Federation voted on Wednesday to continue excluding Russian athletes from FIL competitions, including the process to qualify for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
In a press release, the FIL noted that Athletes’ Commission chair Leon Felderer (ITA) presented results of an anonymous survey that detailed a wide range of concerns including safety, anti-doping compliance, fairness, and Olympic quotas.
“Athlete hold a wide range of views. There are many concerns and arguments on both sides,” Felderer said.
After discussion, the FIL Congress first voted to uphold the previous 2022 and 2024 resolutions, which banned the Russian luge federation from FIL competition, with 75% voting to continue the resolutions.
Following the vote to uphold the previous resolutions, a second vote was held in which the Congress voted against creating a Athlete with Individual Neutrality program for select Russian athletes to compete. That vote was again 75% against inclusion of the Russian athletes.
After the voting was held, FIL president Einars Fogelis (LAT) stated, “The Congress has made its position clear. This outcome reflects our collective responsibility to uphold fair and safe competition. We fully respect the diversity of views within our community, especially from our athletes.”
The 2025/2026 FIL World Cup kicks off its season on December 5th in Igls before making its way through Park City, Lake Placid, Sigulda, Winterberg, Oberhof, and Königssee before the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina. It will finish its schedule with races in sunny St. Moritz and Altenberg.