Sources claim Alexander Bolshunov has been turned down. FIS will neither confirm nor deny, but could be forced to give him the green light. Klæbo has given the matter some thought.

The Russian Ski Federation has already named Alexander Bolshunov to its squad for the World Cup opener in Ruka and for the Trondheim round the following week, provided he is given the green light. And that is far from impossible.

On Sunday evening, however, signals emerged from Russia that Bolshunov’s application has been rejected. 

“He was advised to wait until next season, even though he has now resigned his position in the military,” sources told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

Russian Ski Federation vice-president Jelena Välbe says she has no information about him. 

“I have no information about Bolshunov’s neutral status. I am not involved in that process,” she says. 

FIS will neither confirm nor deny whether the Russian star has been turned down.

“For legal and confidentiality reasons, we cannot comment on individual neutral status cases. We continuously update the lists of approved athletes on our website,” FIS wrote in an email to NRK.

Also Read: Bolshunov selected for Ruka and World Cup in Trondheim

Requirements relaxed

Russian athletes have been banned from international competition since the war against Ukraine began in February 2022. 

Last year, the door was opened for Russian athletes to compete as neutrals under strict criteria. But earlier this autumn, FIS adopted new rules that have allowed far more to pass through the eye of the needle. So far, more than 200 athletes from the two countries have been cleared to compete internationally, including almost 50 cross-country skiers.

For Klæbo, the issue is complicated, but the Norwegian star has reached his own conclusion. 

“It’s a political discussion and a political field that it’s impossible for me to get involved in,” Klæbo told NRK. 

“One of my strengths all along has been that I spend time on the things I can do something about. And this is perhaps the thing I can do the least about,” the Norwegian superstar says. 

This winter, Klæbo won six golds out of six possible at the Olympics in Milano/Cortina. Last year, he won six out of six at the World Championships in Trondheim. Both times he made history. Both times, the Russians have claimed it would not have happened had their skiers been competing.

Commentator: “Rules tailored to Russia”

More than 200 Russian skiers have been granted neutral status for the coming season, clearing them to compete internationally. 

Natalia Terenteva (formerly Nepryaeva) has already been cleared, the first of the big stars from before the ban. 

Under the new guidelines adopted by FIS in September, Bolshunov can now also meet the requirements. 

NRK sports commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt believes the Russians may get their way, pointing out that a rejection could trigger major problems.

If FIS bars the former Olympic star from competing, it risks being sued by Russia and taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 

“These seem to be rules tailored to bring Russia’s biggest star back, so that interest can be revived. If they didn’t understand what they were doing, then FIS really needs to take a hard look at what it has been up to,” he says. 

Could be denied a visa

Even if Bolshunov were to be cleared by FIS, that does not automatically mean he can compete. It is still up to the authorities in each host country whether to grant visas to Russian athletes. 

FACTS: FIS requirements for neutral status

Neutral status: Athletes must apply to FIS individually and be approved as neutrals. They cannot represent Russia or Belarus.

No military ties: Athletes who are or have been voluntarily affiliated with or supported by their country’s military or security agencies may be denied participation.

No support for the war: Athletes must not have supported Russia’s war in Ukraine. Statements, social media posts and attendance at pro-war events may count against them.

No national symbols: Russian and Belarusian flags, national anthems and national team suits are banned. Athletes may only compete individually, not in relays or team sprints.

Doping requirements: Athletes must meet FIS anti-doping requirements and be available for doping controls.

Visas and qualification: FIS approval is not enough. Athletes must also meet the sporting requirements and obtain entry permission to the country hosting the competition.

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