By Reuters
MOSCOW: The Russian Luge Federation (FSSR) said it will take legal action over a decision by the sport鈥檚 global governing body to bar the country鈥檚 athletes, even as neutrals, from the qualifying process for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The International Luge Federation (FIL) voted at its congress in Tampere, Finland, last month to extend an existing exclusion for Russian athletes from its competitions.
It also voted to not authorise a programme for neutral Russian athletes.
The FSSR said in a statement on Monday it had notified the governing body of its intention to challenge the decision in international courts. The FSSR told Russian news agency TASS it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
鈥淲e will defend the rights of our athletes to participate in the Olympic Games 2026,鈥 FSSR president Natalia Gart said.
The FIL said it could not comment on the issue.
The International Olympic Committee said in May that Russian teams remained banned from next year鈥檚 Games as