Russian athletes plan to enter the U.S. next week to race in the Lake Placid Luge World Cup. The move comes as the war in Ukraine continues. It has raised sharp concern among Ukrainian sliders who say this return is unfair. The race is part of a key Olympic qualifying series. It takes place in New York next weekend.
The International Luge Federation confirmed that Russian sliders said they secured U.S. visas. According to AP News, the group includes about six athletes. They hope to revive weak qualifying chances for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Ukrainian athletes say this step ignores the harm caused by the war.
Russian Athletes and Olympic Qualification Debate
The case has grown more tense in recent days. Ukrainian slider Anton Dukach said the athletes cannot be seen as neutral. He said they support the war. He also said he survived a rocket attack two years ago that killed neighbors.
Reuters and AP News report that Russia has not raced in a Luge World Cup since the invasion of Ukraine. The return now comes as more sports bodies review Russian eligibility. The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation has also cleared nine Russian competitors as neutral athletes.
Races in the U.S. are part of a five-stop qualifying series. It began last month in Cortina d’Ampezzo. No Russian placed better than 19th there. That result gave them a poor start to the Olympic season.
U.S. athlete Ashley Farquharson said the atmosphere has been tense. She described the mixed presence of Russians and Ukrainians in the warm-up room as strange. The State Department did not confirm visa approvals but said it aims to support major sports events while guarding national security.
Impact on Luge, Bobsled, and Skeleton Competition
The return of Russian athletes is expected to reshape the tone of several events. They may appear not only in luge but also in bobsled and skeleton this winter. Most will race as Individual Neutral Athletes. They cannot use Russian symbols or flags.
Experts say the path to Olympic qualification remains hard. Russia must race in Latvia and Germany after Lake Placid. Visas for those regions may still be a barrier. Many national teams also remain firm in opposing Russian participation.
For Ukraine, the impact is emotional and personal. Dukach said he races to honor friends killed in the war. He said the presence of Russians adds pressure and pain. But he said it also strengthens his resolve to compete.
FYI (keeping you in the loop)-
Q1: Why are Russian athletes returning to the Luge World Cup?
They want to restart their Olympic qualifying efforts. They plan to race as neutral athletes. The federation cleared them under a review process.
Q2: Will Russian athletes race under their national flag?
No. They must compete as Individual Neutral Athletes. They cannot use Russian colors, anthem, or symbols.
Q3: Why are Ukrainian athletes upset?
They say Russians are not neutral. They say the war has caused major loss and trauma. They believe the return is unfair while the conflict continues.
Q4: Could Russians reach the 2026 Olympics?
The path is difficult. They must race well in coming World Cups. Visa issues may also slow their progress.
Q5: Are other winter sports also reviewing Russian entries?
Yes. Bobsled and skeleton now have nine cleared Russian athletes. Other sports review cases under similar rules.