The Russian Ski Federation has named eight athletes for the World Cup opening in Ruka and the World Cup in Trondheim. Among them is Alexander Bolshunov.

On Monday afternoon, the Russian Ski Federation announced that they have selected the first eight athletes for the World Cup opening in Ruka from November 26 to 29, as well as for the World Cup in Trondheim the following week.

Among the eight selected athletes are Natalia Terenteva, Saveliy Korostelev, and Alina Peklestova, who have already been granted neutral status.

Also Read – Olympic Champion granted green light: Russian stars set to return

The Ski Federation has also selected five additional athletes, but they are currently awaiting approval from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). This includes Veronika Stepanova, Alexander Bolshunov, Alexander Terentev, Sergey Ardashev, and Alena Baranova.

The Federation will allocate the remaining 12 spots after the national season opener on November 10-11.

Read More – Exile, training, and survival: Inside Ukraine’s cross-country ski program

Sweden opens door for Visa denial

Before the weekend, it was confirmed that 2022 Olympic star Natalia Terenteva (formerly Nepryaeva) has been granted neutral status. She is the first of the major stars to receive the green light.

Earlier this week, the Swedish Ski Federation and the Swedish Sports Confederation requested an investigation into the possibility of denying Russian athletes visas in connection with the World Championships in Falun. Shortly thereafter, Swedish authorities confirmed they are looking into the matter. Even if Russian athletes receive approval from FIS, it is the individual nations at the foreign policy level that decide whether they can obtain visas to enter the country.

Potential loss of World Championships in Falun

Sweden may now face consequences.

Sweden’s stance contradicts FIS’s decision that athletes from Russia and Belarus can participate if they sign a neutrality declaration. Swedish officials are warned that they could be stripped of hosting the World Championships in Falun if they deny approved athletes from these countries the right to compete.

Also Read: Sweden could lose World Championships in Falun

Oslo Mayor calls for exclusion of Russians

Norwegian actors are now also getting involved. On Monday, Oslo’s mayor Anne Lindboe urged the government to take a stand.

“Ukrainians are fighting every single day for their country, their freedom, and their right to determine their own future. Oslo is hosting the World Cup, and as long as Russia continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian athletes do not belong at the starting line in Holmenkollen,” Lindboe told NTB.

NRK sports commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt expressed his confusion over the objections.

“Several of these Russians participated in the 50 km race in Holmenkollen last winter without any reaction from Anne Lindboe or others. We also did not hear anything prior to the FIS decision in September,” he noted.

“As a sports nation, we are part of a community and a democracy that has made its decisions. The question is to what extent we want to go against that. And that must be determined by the responsible politicians at levels above the municipal level.”

Langrenn.com contacted the Ski Federation after the Swedish reactions, but has not yet received a response.

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