The International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) once again finds itself operating in a sensitive space where sport, international politics and the protection of young athletes inevitably intersect. In a global context marked by restrictions and debates around neutrality, eligibility and competitive fairness, the federation has chosen to adjust its regulatory framework by following the path set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with a clear focus on youth categories and on the right of athletes to compete.
The decision, approved on 29 December 2025 by the ISMF Council, responds to a specific recommendation issued days earlier by the IOC Sports Department. The message was clear: young athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports should no longer face restricted access to international youth competitions, provided that standard federation protocols are respected and that government representatives remain excluded from sporting events.
An adjustment aligned with the IOC roadmap
On 19 December 2025, the IOC officially communicated, under the authority of its Executive Board and with the backing of the Olympic Summit, a shift in approach regarding young athletes. The recommendation states that these athletes should not be subject to additional eligibility restrictions, such as extraordinary background checks, and should be allowed to compete under the usual rules governing flags, anthems, uniforms and symbols as defined by international federations or event organisers.
The ISMF embraced this approach by relying on the mandate approved by its Plenary Assembly in 2023, which explicitly established that the federation would follow and apply IOC recommendations relating to sanctions or similar restrictions on ISMF National Members and athletes. Within this framework, the update does not represent an isolated change of direction, but rather a consistent application of a policy previously agreed upon by its highest decision-making body.
What changes for youth athletes and what remains in place
With the new regulations now in force, young athletes from Russia who meet ISMF age and eligibility criteria may take part in all ISMF international youth competitions, including team events such as the mixed relay. One of the most significant changes is the removal of the AIN (Individual Neutral Athlete) licence requirement for these categories, reducing administrative barriers and restoring a competitive framework closer to sporting normality.
At the same time, the ISMF maintains a clear distinction between age groups. The AIN framework continues to apply unchanged to senior athletes, reflecting that the flexibility is exclusively aimed at the reality and protection of young athletes. In the case of Belarus, the federation clarifies that it is not currently an ISMF National Member and that its reference is limited to the general scope of the IOC recommendation, without implying any additional structural changes within the organisation.
