FIS has opened the door for Russian cross-country skiers to compete in the World Cup and World Championships in Falun.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has established regulations for the return of Russian athletes to the World Cup and World Championships.

Alexander Bolshunov’s coach, Jurij Borodavko, and several other top Russian athletes have not yet commented enthusiastically on the decision.

– This is certainly good news, but it is unclear whether it will apply to all athletes or if FIS will decide who can participate and who cannot, Borodavko told Match TV.

– It is a positive development, but I am most concerned about our most famous athletes: Alexander Bolshunov, Alexey Chervotkin, Denis Spitsov, Veronika Stepanova, and Natalia Terenteva. If this also includes them and they receive neutral status, then it will be a day of celebration, he added.

Can compete as neutral athletes

In a statement, FIS announced that athletes from the two nations can participate in FIS competitions provided they sign a neutrality declaration based on principles established by FIS.

– Participation is limited to individual events and is conditional on no national symbols – such as flags, national anthems, or uniforms – being displayed. Athletes must also meet all applicable anti-doping requirements, FIS stated.

The decision made at the board meeting in Switzerland this week followed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) temporary lifting of the ban on Russian athletes and the Russian Olympic Committee over the summer.

This winter, only two Russian athletes met the neutrality requirements: Saviel Korostelev and Dariya Nepryaeva. They participated in both the World Cup and the Olympics.

Disappointed and surprised

NRK sports commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt expressed that he is both disappointed and surprised by FIS’s decision.

– Without knowing the details of the decision yet, I must admit that I am surprised and disappointed that it happened so soon. There had been signals that a decision would come in December, Saltvedt told the Russian site Championat.

No return for biathletes

However, the International Biathlon Union (IBU) has no plans to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to return this season.

See also: Anger at IBU: – Completely Incomprehensible

The story will be updated