FIS grants neutral status to Russian skier Savely Korostelev
In short
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has granted neutral status to Russian skier Savely Korostelev, and also to coaches Danil Akimov and Egor Nemtinov, according to Russian state news agencies. Kommersant reported that 38 athletes and 29 specialists from Russia are currently cleared to compete in FIS events, while RBC put the overall figure at 67 Russians. The status allows individual-only participation without national symbols, after FIS dropped a rule barring athletes linked to armed-forces structures in late September.
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The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has granted a neutral status to Russian skier Savely Korostelev, according to RIA Novosti, TASS, RBC and Kommersant. Kommersant said the decision was announced on the federation's website. TASS and Kommersant reported that coaches Danil Akimov and Egor Nemtinov also received neutral status. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Kommersant reported that 38 athletes and 29 specialists from Russia are currently admitted to tournaments under FIS auspices. RBC said that 67 Russians in total have received FIS neutral status. [ 3 , 4 ]
Korostelev is 22 years old, according to Kommersant. RBC and Kommersant reported that at the 2026 Olympics in Italy he finished fourth in the skiathlon and fifth in the marathon. Kommersant added that last season he took bronze in the 10km classic-style interval start at a World Cup stage in Lahti, Finland. [ 3 , 4 ]
Kommersant reported that in late September FIS changed the conditions for obtaining neutral status, removing a clause that prevented granting it to athletes linked to structures affiliated with the armed forces or security agencies. While that clause was in force, members of societies such as CSKA and Dynamo could not apply, the outlet said. For Korostelev, Kommersant wrote, this means that belonging to CSKA or another sports community tied to the armed forces no longer blocks a neutral status, while athletes who voluntarily signed contracts with the armed forces or national security agencies of Russia or Belarus are still not admitted to competitions. [ 4 ]
According to Kommersant, the neutral status allows Korostelev to compete in all FIS tournaments in the 2026/27 season, but only in individual disciplines and without a flag, anthem or national symbols on his kit. It requires signing a declaration of neutrality and submitting an application by December 15, and FIS may revoke the status if the criteria are violated, the outlet reported. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The decision adds a prominent Russian skier to the pool of athletes cleared for international competition, after FIS relaxed its criteria in late September. It does not change the exclusion of athletes who signed contracts with the armed forces or security services, so the split within Russian sport over who can return remains. The numbers cited by the outlets indicate the clearance process covers dozens of Russian athletes and specialists.
Key facts
- FIS granted a neutral status to Russian skier Savely Korostelev, the federation's website said, according to Kommersant. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Coaches Danil Akimov and Egor Nemtinov also received neutral status. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Kommersant reported that 38 athletes and 29 specialists from Russia are currently admitted to FIS tournaments. [ 4 ]
- RBC reported that 67 Russians in total have received FIS neutral status. [ 3 ]
- Korostelev, 22, finished fourth in the skiathlon and fifth in the marathon at the 2026 Olympics in Italy, according to RBC and Kommersant. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Kommersant reported that in late September FIS removed a requirement that barred neutral status for athletes linked to structures affiliated with the armed forces or security agencies. [ 4 ]
- Neutral status allows entry to all FIS tournaments in the 2026/27 season in individual disciplines only, without flag, anthem or national symbols, and requires signing a neutrality declaration and applying by December 15. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Korostelev will actually compete in the 2026/27 FIS season and in which events. The documents report the granting of the status but do not say whether or where he will race.
- The precise count of Russians holding neutral status. RBC gives a total of 67 Russians, while Kommersant gives a breakdown of 38 athletes and 29 specialists; the documents do not state whether these figures cover the same group.
- The effect of the late-September rule change on other pending applications. Only Kommersant describes the rule change and its consequences; other outlets do not mention it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that skier Korostelev received neutral status for FIS tournaments. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports the same decision and adds that coaches Danil Akimov and Egor Nemtinov also received neutral status. [ 2 ]
- RBC reports the status and says 67 Russians in total have received it, citing Korostelev's Olympic results. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant reports the decision, citing the FIS website, and gives the breakdown of 38 athletes and 29 specialists, the conditions of the status and the late-September rule change. [ 4 ]