Russia to appeal soon decision to bar Russian skiers, snowboarders from int'l competitions - sports minister

MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Russia will soon appeal the decision of the Council of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) not to allow Russian athletes to compete in international tournaments, Russian Sports Minister and Russian Olympic Committee head Mikhail Degtyaryov said.

"The Sports Ministry and the Olympic Committee of Russia are preparing appeals against this decision of the FIS Council jointly with our ski federations. Russia's position has become stronger thanks to a recent precedent - the court ruling on bobsled that recognized the discriminatory nature of such bans," the Sports Ministry's press service quoted Degtyaryov as saying.

"The appeal will be filed within a very short amount of time," he said.

It was reported on Tuesday that the FIS Council had decided to bar Russian athletes from taking part in international competitions.

"We believe that such actions are absolutely inadmissible and have nothing to do with the principles and values enshrined in the Olympic Charter," Degtyaryov said.