Russian junior world champion to NRK: “I hope we can race the World Cup in Davos”

Russian cross‑country skier and junior world champion Saveliy Korostelev told Norway’s NRK that Russians and Belarusians are unlikely to race at the World Cup stop in Trondheim on 5–7 December, saying there is too little time to make it happen. “It’s not possible to compete in Trondheim; there isn’t enough time. I hope we can get to Davos,” he messaged NRK, referring to the next World Cup round in Davos, Switzerland, on 12–14 December. Korostelev could not estimate how many Russian athletes might receive approval to start.

The article places his hopes in the context of a decision issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled that 17 Russian and Belarusian athletes may take part in the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics as neutral athletes in FIS‑governed sports.

Finnish Olympic Committee chair Petteri Kilpinen said he was not surprised by the CAS ruling, noting that the IOC has sought a path for neutral Russian and Belarusian participation. However, he stressed that the neutrality criteria are very strict and that Finland maintains its previously stated stance: participation should be considered only once there is a ceasefire or tangible progress toward peace. Kilpinen also questioned the decision on Olympic‑ideals grounds, pointing out that Russia decided to launch its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine during the period of the Olympic Truce in February 2022.

The article details FIS’s requirements for neutral eligibility. Athletes must email an application to FIS, which will be reviewed by three people: the FIS Secretary General, an independent sports‑integrity expert, and a representative of FIS governance. Athletes and their entourages must not support Russia’s war of aggression, and they must not belong to the Russian or Belarusian armed forces or national security services. They must also pass appropriate anti‑doping controls, and neither athletes nor entourages may display or maintain communications that link them to Russia or Belarus.

The piece links to additional Yle coverage, including analysis of the decision’s background, concerns over quota impacts on Finnish skiers, the current status of any neutral‑eligible Russian names on FIS lists, and an explainer on why the Russian and Belarusian appeals succeeded.