The key facts

  • FIS granted neutral status to Denis Spitsov, Alexander Bakurov, freestyle skiers Ilya Burov and Lyubov Nikitina, and other Russians
  • Russian skiers have been barred from international competitions since 2022; in December 2025, CAS ruled the suspension unlawful
  • The first World Cup stage will take place in Ruka, Finland, on November 27–29

Who was granted neutral status

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) announced that it has granted neutral status to Olympic champion Denis Spitsov and cross-country skier Alexander Bakurov, as reported on the organization's website (according to Gazeta.Ru). Spitsov is the 2022 Olympic champion in the relay and a four-time medalist at the Games. Along with them, the status was granted to freestyle skiers Ilya Burov and Lyubov Nikitina, snowboarder Andrey Sobolev, ski jumper Denis Kornilov, cross-country skier Yevgenia Krupitskaya, and a number of other Russians.

How the eligibility situation evolved

Russian skiers have been barred from international competitions since 2022. In October 2025, FIS extended the suspension, but on December 2 the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled it unlawful, after which the federation allowed Russians to apply for neutral status. The first to receive it were Savely Korostelev and Daria Nepryaeva, who have already competed in World Cup stages and at the Olympics. It became known as early as September 2, 2026, that FIS would admit Russian athletes in a neutral status; the new list, which includes Spitsov and Bakurov, expands the number of those cleared to compete. The first World Cup stage will take place in Ruka, Finland, on November 27–29.