The key facts
- FIS granted Denis Spitsov individual neutral status
- The status opens the possibility of competing in international events of the 2026/27 season
- Earlier, seven more Russian athletes received neutral status, including cross-country skier Ulyana Stakhovich
Spitsov receives clearance from FIS
Olympic cross-country skiing champion Denis Spitsov has been granted an individual neutral status by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), the organization's press service reported the organization's press service (according to Life.ru). The decision allows the 30-year-old Russian athlete to apply for participation in international competitions of the 2026/27 season.
Conditions of participation
Spitsov will be able to compete in FIS-sanctioned tournaments provided he meets the established requirements. Russian athletes are permitted to compete only in individual disciplines — without the national flag, anthem or any other state symbols.
Context: who else has received the status
Spitsov is one of the most decorated Russian skiers: at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing he won gold in the men's relay, and in total he has three silver and one bronze Olympic medals from the 2018 and 2022 Games. Earlier, according to Life.ru, FIS granted neutral status to seven more Russian athletes: the list published on November 3 included representatives of cross-country skiing, snowboarding, freestyle and alpine skiing, among them cross-country skier Ulyana Stakhovich. Thus, Spitsov became the next in a series of clearances for Russian athletes to compete internationally under individual neutral status.
