Five Russian skiers cleared to compete internationally as neutrals

The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced on Thursday that five additional individuals have been granted neutral status to compete in international competitions.

According to the update, the neutral list now includes 14 names in total: ten from Belarus and four from Russia.

Those newly approved are:

• Belarusian cross-country skiers Hanna Matshahina and Hanna Karalyova
• Belarusian cross-country support/service staff Aleh Bikauskih and Ilja Ramanenka
• Russian service-team member Jevgeni Uftikov, who has worked with Russia’s national team

The inclusion of Uftikov is notable because it provides service support for Russia’s Saveli Korostelev and Darja Nepryajeva, who were publicly cleared on Wednesday. They are scheduled to compete this weekend at the Davos World Cup, where ski service is critical. Both Korostelev and Nepryajeva were junior world champions in 2022.

The decisions are part of FIS’s ongoing process for allowing athletes and team staff from Russia and Belarus to participate under a neutral status, following the restrictions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.