Overview
- Nikita Denisov in cross-country and alpine skiers Vitalina Girina and Tanzila Israilova were cleared to compete internationally under a neutral designation, FIS said.
- FIS also approved neutral status for support staff members Mikhail Barinov and Pavel Kolgotin, according to the federation’s announcement.
- The decisions follow a December CAS ruling that allowed Russians to apply for neutral status after FIS had maintained a competition ban in October.
- FIS eligibility criteria exclude athletes with voluntary links to Russian or Belarusian military or security bodies and those who publicly support the campaign in Ukraine.
- Earlier this season, Darya Nepryayeva and Saveliy Korostelyov received neutral status, have raced on World Cup stages, and secured Olympic quotas, while Russian coach Yuri Borodavko criticized FIS as politicized and doubted further approvals this season.