The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has processed the first applications for Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status, and two Russian cross-country skiers have been cleared to compete at this weekend’s World Cup round in Davos, Switzerland.

The Davos weekend — featuring a freestyle team sprint on Friday, a freestyle sprint on Saturday, and a 10km individual start in freestyle on Sunday — is the final World Cup stage before Christmas and the last stop before the Tour de Ski. It will also mark the first time in more than three and a half years that athletes from Russia or Belarus are permitted to start in a World Cup race.

Korostelev and Nepryaeva approved as AIN

FIS confirmed on Wednesday that Saveliy Korostelev and Dariya Nepryaeva have been granted neutral athlete status under the updated eligibility framework. With their AIN approval, both athletes are allowed to enter the World Cup competitions in Davos and may now earn Olympic qualification points for Milano–Cortina 2026.

Their approval follows a December ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which overturned an earlier FIS decision and required the International Federation to accept applications from Russian and Belarusian athletes who meet the IOC’s strict neutrality criteria. These include no links to military or security organizations, no expressions of support for the war in Ukraine, and full compliance with anti-doping rules.

Complete press release from FIS can be found HERE

Also Read – Confirmed: Russia allowed to participate in the Olympics

More athletes may follow

Davos will be the first practical test of the AIN system in a cross-country World Cup competition. FIS continues to review additional applications, and more neutral athletes may be cleared in the coming days and weeks. With the Olympic qualification window closing soon, the timing is critical for any athletes hoping to secure a start in 2026.

FACTS Davos World Cup Season 2025/2026

• When: Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 14, 2025 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Davos, Switzerland
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Davos, Switzerland

PROGRAM

Friday, December 12: Team Sprint Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

• 15:00 CET: Team Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Women
• 15:00 CET: Team Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Men
• 17:00 CET: Team Sprint Final Freestyle, Women
• 17:00 CET: Team Sprint Final Freestyle, Men

Saturday, December 13: Sprint Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

• 13:45 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Women
• 13:45 CET: Sprint Qualification Freestyle, Men
• 16:15 CET: Sprint Final Freestyle, Women
• 16:15 CET: Sprint Final Freestyle, Men

Sunday, December 14: 10km Interval Start Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

• 9:50 CET: 10km Interval Start Freestyle, Men
• 13:45 CET: 10km Interval Start Freestyle, Women

Read More: Cross-country skiing World Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season

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