M0SCOW, September 24. /TASS/. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) did not discuss the issues of the potential participation of Russian athletes in competitions under its aegis at its Sunday’s congress in Barcelona, Russian Bobsleigh Federation (RBF) President Anatoly Pegov told TASS.

"At its last year’s congress, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation made a decision to impose a temporary ban on all athletes of the Russian Bobsleigh Federation or athletes linked with the Russian Bobsleigh Federation from taking part in IBSF competitions until further notice and until the situation improves so that the Russian Bobsleigh Federation’s teams could be allowed to take part in competitions," he said. "The Executive Committee enjoys the right to revoke the temporary suspension either partially or fully as soon as it deems expedient taking into account the analysis of the circumstances that have led to this measure. Regrettably, the IBSF Executive Committee did not think it possible to change this decision and put this matter for consideration at today’s congress."

"The general atmosphere at the congress was calm, although some participants made negative remarks in respect of the Russian delegation. Our bobsledders and skeleton racers will continue training and competing in Russia to prepare for international tournaments when the IBSF makes a positive decision concerning our athletes," he added.

In mid-July 2022, the IBSF announced its decision to suspend Russian athletes from all international tournaments until further notice. Such a decision became possible after the IBSF congress amended the Federation’s charter, giving it the right to suspend athletes from this or that country in exceptional cases. However, the Russian Bobsleigh Federation was not disqualified and retained its IBSF membership.

At its session on January 25, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board put forward a proposal to permit individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in international sports tournaments but only under certain conditions.

Specifically, athletes from the two countries should not be "actively supporting" Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and must compete under a neutral status. Russia and Belarus were also banned from participating in international team events.