The International Bobsleigh Federation has banned Russian athletes from talking to the press.

The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) has banned Russian and Belarusian athletes with neutral status from communicating with journalists during international competitions. This became known on December 14 from the organization's documents.

"Individual neutral athletes and representatives of the athletes' staff who have received neutral status are not allowed to pass through the mix zone (a place for individual or group communication with journalists) or participate in press conferences during IBSF events. They are also prohibited from giving interviews to the media during IBSF events," TASS cites the text of the document.

Earlier on Friday, nine Russian athletes — bobsledders Sofia Stepushkina and Lyubov Chernova, as well as skeleton athletes Victoria Vettel, Alyona Frolova, Polina Knyazeva, Polina Tyurina, Daniil Romanov, Vladislav Semenov and Yeremey Zykov — received neutral status from the IBSF.

Nine coaches, mechanics, a doctor and officials from Russia also became holders of similar statuses. The new rules deprive them of the opportunity to comment on their performances for the media directly during competitions under the auspices of the federation.

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On the same day, Russian chess players were allowed to participate in international competitions with the national symbols of the Russian Federation. It is specified that 61 out of 112 delegates (54.46%) voted for the decision, 51 (45.54%) voted against it. Another 14 countries abstained, and 15 did not participate in the vote or their votes were declared invalid.

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