The key facts

  • Svischev: no official notification from FIS of a refusal has been received
  • The Norwegian outlet NRK reported the refusal on November 4
  • Bolshunov is included in the preliminary list for the first World Cup stages in Ruka and Trondheim

Federation denies report of refusal

Chairman of the Russian Federation of Skiing Sports and Snowboarding Dmitry Svischev said that no official notification from FIS refusing Alexander Bolshunov neutral status had been received. His words were cited by Sport24. «This information was spread by Norwegian media, so there is no reason to believe it. It is not true. We have received no official notification from FIS of a refusal. We will see what happens tomorrow,» Svischev said.

What was reported earlier

On November 4, the Norwegian outlet NRK reported that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation had refusedto grant Bolshunov neutral status. Back on November 1, information appeared that FIS did not intend to grant the skier neutral status and suggested he wait until the next season. Earlier, however, Norway had denied reports of a protest related to the athlete's neutral status.

Context: plans for the season

Despite the uncertainty over his status, Bolshunov was included in the preliminary list of Russian skiers who will take part in the first two stages of the 2026/2027 World Cup in Ruka and Trondheim. The first stage in Finnish Ruka will take place on November 27–29. Thus, at the moment the situation remains contradictory: Norwegian media reported a refusal, while the Russian federation denies it, citing the absence of an official notification from FIS.

Bolshunov's achievements

Bolshunov is a three-time Olympic champion who also holds four silver and two bronze Olympic medals. He is a world champion in the skiathlon (2021), a two-time World Cup winner (2019/20, 2020/21) and a two-time winner of the multi-stage Tour de Ski race (2019/2020 and 2021).