1 vote per member: Federation extends Russian ban for bobsled season

The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation voted Tuesday to keep Russian teams out of World Cup bobsled competitions for the coming season. The governing body extended sanctions tied to Russia's war with Ukraine, a move that likely applies to the sport's world championships as well.

Individual Russian athletes may still race in skeleton and monobob events. The federation stated these competitors must enter as neutral athletes and satisfy specific eligibility and vetting conditions. The ban on team events stems from the group nature of two- and four-man bobsleds. Skeleton and monobob are solo disciplines, with only one person per sled.

The decision followed a review of Russian athletes' ties to the state. The federation considered evidence of support for the government's actions and military affiliations. A convincing majority of the board approved the extension after reviewing these factors.

Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton racer, defended the outcome. He noted that the vote reflected a thorough discussion of the Russian Bobsleigh Federation's role. Heraskevych, a potential medal contender for the Milan-Cortina Games, described the decision as fair.

"After thorough discussion and our presentation of facts about the involvement of the Russian Bobsleigh Federation and Russian athletes in actively supporting the actions of their government, and in some cases even their affiliation with the Russian army, a fair decision was adopted by a convincing majority of votes," Heraskevych wrote on social media.

This vote mirrors the standards used for the Milan-Cortina Olympics last winter. Independent panels cleared specific Russian athletes who did not publicly support the war and lacked military links. That process established the precedent for current World Cup eligibility.

The first World Cup bobsled and skeleton races of the season are scheduled for Nov. 27 at Altenberg, Germany.