Russian and Belarusian skiers and snowboarders will not be allowed to compete in next year's Winter Olympics, even as neutral athletes, after the sport's governing body voted on Tuesday not to allow them into qualification events.
The International Olympic Committee had previously said it would allow Russians and Belarusians to take part in the Feb. 6-22 Games in Italy, but that the final decision would rest with individual sports federations.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), however, said its council had voted against any participation, in a blow for the ruling body's President Johan Eliasch, who had supported a return for Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals.
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