FIS statement on Wengen downhill race participation

The decision made by the jury to allow Vincent Kriechmayr to compete in the downhill races in Wengen (SUI) was done strictly in accordance with FIS regulations and in the best interest of the sport and of the athlete.

Vincent and the Austrian team provided the all the necessary Covid-19 documents to the Wengen Covid-19 Officer in time for the deadline on Monday 10th January 2022 and his participation was approved.

Due to an error by the Austrian authorities in relation to Covid-19 protocols, Vincent was not permitted to travel to Switzerland in time to take part in the official downhill training sessions in Wengen, although he was on the start list for the scheduled training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In the circumstances, where it was clear that the delay was outside of the athlete's control, the Jury made the decision to allow Vincent to start in the downhill races on Friday and Saturday.

Athletes have previously been granted similar opportunities to fulfil the training requirements. In the Jury’s deliberation the safety aspects were taken into account and considering Vincent’s case as a former winner of the Lauberhornrennen (2019) and his super-G run the day before, his start was deemed safe.

FIS will always seek to find solutions within its framework to serve all its athletes’ best interests.