Cross-country: Savely Korostelev secures Olympic quota spot as a neutral – “See you there”

Savely Korostelev of Russia, competing under neutral status, raced the weekend’s World Cup in Davos and has now secured a quota place for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano–Cortina.

Korostelev, 22, finished 52nd in the sprint qualification and 25th in the 10 km freestyle, results that were nevertheless enough to claim one of the last Olympic quota spots. The International Ski Federation (FIS) confirmed the quota to SVT Sport, adding that the full quota lists will be published on Monday.

He described Davos as his World Cup debut and acknowledged it was tough at altitude: “It wasn’t good—really tough up high. But it’s just the beginning,” he told SVT Sport. He also said, “See you there,” referring to the Olympics.

SVT notes that the secured place is tied to AIN (Individual Neutral Athletes) and is therefore not personal; however, Korostelev is the only Russian man who has competed as a neutral so far. Final participation also requires IOC recognition of the athletes’ neutral status.

On the women’s side, Russian skier Daria Nepryaeva has also secured a neutral Olympic quota place. Swedish skier Gustaf Berglund was the top Swede in the Davos distance race in 15th and believes Korostelev will improve with experience: “He surely has better results in him. I think he’s a really good skier,” Berglund said. Sweden’s Johan Häggström finished 53rd.

SVT previously explained the quota allocation process and reported it was expected that Korostelev would claim one of the places.