Russian skiers return to global events under neutral status
Russian skiers have been allowed to compete in international events under a neutral status starting the 2026/27 season, following a decision by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and a prior ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Consensus
- Russian skiers have been permitted to compete in international events in a neutral status starting the 2026–27 season.
- The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has approved the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral status.
- Athletes must sign a declaration of neutrality to participate.
- Participation is limited to individual disciplines; team events are excluded.
- Results do not count toward the Nations Cup standings.
- The decision follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in December 2025, which found the previous ban on Russian athletes unlawful.
- Russian athletes were previously excluded from international competitions since spring 2022.
- Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev confirmed the development 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' and described it as an illusion, noting opposition from Norwegian skiers and their federation. — vm
- Only three Russian athletes—Savely Korostelyov, Darya Nepryaeva, and Nikita Denisov—received neutral status in the previous season, with Denisov never competing, and the others achieving Olympic qualification. — fontanka
- 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 flag. — tg_echoonline_news
- Russian athletes competed under neutral status in the 2024–25 season at the Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics, including Darya Nepryaeva and Savely Korostelyov. — kommerant
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
- Maria Kudryavtseva
- Jan Petter Saltvedt
- International Ski and Snowboard Federation
- Telegram channel
More on Mikhail Degtyarev
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- World Athletics Has No Legal Basis Against Russia, Says Degtyarev
- IOC Demands Written Guarantees for Russian Athletes