35 Russian cross-country skiers granted neutral status by FIS amid ongoing debate

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has granted neutral status to 35 Russian cross-country skiers, allowing them to enter FIS competitions without representing Russia or Belarus. Eligibility requires athletes to have no military ties, no public support for the war in Ukraine, and compliance with anti-doping rules, plus they must qualify sportingly and secure visas for each host country. Birger Løfaldli noted that the move does not alter the broader conflict in Ukraine and suggested FIS may be yielding under economic pressure, as its equity fell from 81 to 43 million Swiss francs between 2021 and 2025.

The Russian ski federation’s chairman Dmitrij Svisjtsjov anticipates further approvals, but leading skier Aleksandr Bolsjunov has not yet been included. Meanwhile, Nordic ski leaders continue to discuss coordinated visa policies for Russian and Belarusian participants.