The key facts

  • FIS, according to Norwegian media reports on November 4, refused Bolshunov neutral status
  • Journalist Saltvedt: FIS hopes Russia will not appeal the decision to CAS
  • Bolshunov was included in the preliminary list for the first World Cup stages in Ruka and Trondheim

FIS refusal and expectations regarding an appeal

On November 4, Norwegian media reported that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) had refused to grant Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov neutral status. This is reported by Gazeta.Ru. Norwegian journalist Jan Petter Saltvedt stated that FIS hopes Russia will not appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “We have very reliable sources on this matter. It was the main topic of discussion at yesterday’s evening meeting of FIS. Now it is up to the administration, which must send an official refusal,” — RIA Novosti quotes him as saying.

Background and contradictions in the reports

As early as November 1, information appeared that FIS did not intend to grant Bolshunov neutral status and suggested that he wait until the next season. At the same time, earlier in the Russian national team rumors of the refusal to the skier were called nonsense — that is, the official position of the Russian side at that time differed from what Norwegian sources are now reporting. Despite these rumors, Bolshunov was included in the preliminary list of Russian skiers for participation in the first two stages of the 2026/2027 World Cup in Ruka and Trondheim; the first stage in Finnish Ruka is scheduled for November 27–29.

What is known about the athlete

Bolshunov is a three-time Olympic champion; he also has four silver and two bronze Olympic medals to his name. He is a world champion in the skiathlon (2021), a two-time World Cup winner (2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons), and a two-time winner of the multi-stage Tour de Ski (2019/2020 and 2021). There is still no official FIS document with the justification for the refusal: according to Saltvedt, the federation’s administration only has to send an official refusal, so the final position of the parties — including a possible appeal to CAS — remains an open question.