Russian skiers return to global events in neutral status
Russian skiers have been allowed to participate in international competitions under neutral status. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has permitted Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2026/27 season under neutral status.
Consensus
- Russian skiers and snowboarders were allowed to compete in international events in a neutral status starting the 2026-27 season.
- The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) made the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under a neutral status.
- Athletes must sign a declaration of neutrality to participate.
- The decision follows a prior ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in December 2025, which found the previous ban on Russian athletes by FIS to be unlawful.
- Russian athletes were excluded from international competitions since early 2022.
- The return is seen as a first step toward full reinstatement with national symbols.
- The decision was announced by Russian Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev at the Eastern Economic Forum on September 2.
Points of divergence
- Norwegian journalist Jan Petter Salthvedt called the neutral status a 'temporary and rather cowardly step' toward full return, and claimed it is an illusion dependent on the terms of the neutrality declaration. — vm
- Norwegian skiers and their federation are strongly opposed to the full return of Russian skiers before the end of the conflict. — vm
- Only three Russian athletes received neutral status in the previous season: Savely Korostelyov, Darya Nepryaeva, and Nikita Denisov. — fontanka
- Denisov did not compete internationally, while Korostelyov and Nepryaeva qualified for the 2026 Olympics. — fontanka
- Korostelyov finished fourth in the skiathlon and fifth in the 50 km marathon; Nepryaeva placed 17th in the skiathlon and 21st in the 10 km, and was disqualified in the marathon for a gear change error. — fontanka
- FIS was previously one of the most rigid international federations toward Russia, but changed after the election of new president Alexander Ospelt in June. — vesti
- The next step after neutral status should be full return with national flag and anthem. — vesti
- The decision was announced by Degtyarev at the Eastern Economic Forum. — kommerant
- The International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) will fully lift restrictions on Russian athletes, horses, and officials starting October 5, allowing them to compete under the national identity of Russia. — tg_echoonline_news
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee in July and recommended removing all restrictions on Russian athletes. — tg_echoonline_news
- FIS confirmed the neutral status allowance for the 2026/27 season. — tg_tass_agency
Coverage (13 sources)
- Chances for Russian skiers to compete abroad with the flag are growing — Вести
- Degtyarev: Russia will ensure there is no improvisation in declarations about neutrality — Вести
- Norwegian journalist Saltvedt called the return of Russian skiers cowardly — Вечерняя Москва
- Russian skiers allowed to participate in international competitions in neutral status — ЭХО / Новости
- Russian skiers will be allowed to participate in international competitions in neutral status starting from the upcoming season. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- "The next step will be a full return": Degtyarev on the admission of skiers — Вести
- Russian skiers allowed to participate in international tournaments in neutral status — Коммерсантъ
- In the International Federation of Ski and Snowboard Sports confirmed the admission of Russian athletes in neutral status on... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Russian skiers return to the world stage — Фонтанка
- Degtyarev announced the return of Russian skiers to international competitions — Ведомости
- FIS allowed Russian skiers to participate in international tournaments under neutral status — Вечерняя Москва
- Skiers and snowboarders from the Russian Federation allowed to participate in world events in neutral status — Вести
- Russian skiers will be allowed to participate in international competitions in neutral status starting from the upcoming season. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
Key entities
- Russia
- Mikhail Degtyarev
- FIS
- Moscow
- OKR
- TASS
- IT 'News'
- Olympic Committee
- Mariya Kudryavtseva
- Jan Petter Saltvedt
- International Ski and Snowboard Federation
- Telegram channel
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