Russian cross-country skier could appear in the World Cup as early as this week

Russian cross‑country skiers could return to international competition as soon as this coming weekend, when the World Cup continues in Davos, Switzerland.

According to Russian Ski Federation president Elena Välbe, 22‑year‑old Savely (Savelii) Korostelev—who won Sunday’s 20 km mass start in Tyumen—has received a visa for Switzerland and intends to travel to Davos to enter the World Cup if permitted. He told Sweden’s SVT by text message that he will only travel once he receives confirmation from the International Ski Federation (FIS) that he may compete as a neutral athlete.

This potential return follows last week’s decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled that Russian and Belarusian athletes in the ski disciplines who meet International Olympic Committee (IOC) criteria must be allowed to participate in the February Winter Olympics as neutral athletes. The ruling also covers Olympic qualification events such as the World Cup.

Russians have not competed internationally in cross‑country skiing since the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which ended days before Russia launched its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine.

FIS processes applications for neutral status via a three‑person panel composed of the FIS secretary general, an independent sport‑integrity expert, and an FIS governance representative. Athletes and their entourages must not support Russia’s war of aggression, must not be members of the Russian or Belarusian armed forces or national security agencies, and must pass appropriate anti‑doping controls.

Välbe said she considers it likely that one Russian man and one Russian woman could qualify for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics under neutral status.

Korostelev, the 2022 junior world champion, edged multiple Olympic champion Aleksandr Bolshunov in a finishing sprint to win Sunday’s race in Tyumen.