AP learned about FIL's suspension of Russian luge athletes from the World Cup stage

The International Luge Federation (FIL) has suspended three Russian athletes from participating in the World Cup competitions to be held in Lake Placid, USA. This was reported by the Associated Press (AP) on December 17.

We are talking about athletes Alexander Gorbatsevich, Sofia Mazur and Ksenia Shamova. The decision to expel them was made after the presentation of "new evidence."

It is not specified what exactly the evidence contained. However, an agency source familiar with the situation claims that the FIL's decision is related to the athletes' position on the conflict in Ukraine.

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On November 23, FIL allowed six Russian athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games. It was noted that among the admitted athletes are Sofia Mazur, Daria Olesik, Ksenia Shamova, Alexander Gorbatsevich, Pavel Repilov and Matvey Perestoronin. All of them will compete in the disciplines of women's and men's single-person sleds.

Prior to that, on October 31, it was reported that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed Russian luge skiers to participate in international competitions in a neutral status. It was noted that the judges listened to the arguments of the FIL that the participation of athletes from the Russian Federation could allegedly increase the risk of incidents in society or on the part of other athletes, as well as that the suspension of Russians should not be considered as a sanction based on nationality.

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