FIS is admitting three times as many Russians for the coming season. Among them is a former Junior World Champion. Here are the names.

On the list that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) published on Thursday afternoon, there are a total of 30 names. 26 of them are from Russia.

Five of the athletes are cross-country skiers. That is almost three times as many as last year, and among them is a former Junior World Champion. The reason is that FIS has now adopted new rules for who qualifies for neutral status.

Read More: IOC brings Russians back into the Olympic fold

These Russians get to race the World Cup

In addition to Dariya Nepryaeva, who was granted neutral status last year, FIS has now approved four more athletes. Nikita Denisov, Hanna Machakhina (BLR), Kseniia Shorokhova and Sergey Volkov have been given the green light to compete in the World Cup in the 2026/2027 season.

Nikita Denisov was originally granted neutral status last year, but did not compete in the World Cup last winter. The 24-year-old won both gold and bronze at the Junior World Championships in Lygna in 2022. He won the gold in the relay at the championships, the day before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Volkov has silver and bronze from the Youth Olympic Games in 2019.

Saveliy Korostelev, who finished fourth in the 50km at the Olympics, is not on the list.

The ban still applies

Since the invasion, athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from international competitions under the auspices of FIS.

The ban still applies, but in December last year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that FIS must admit athletes who meet the requirements for neutral status.

Four of the athletes whose applications have been approved are thus Russian cross-country skiers. The remaining athletes compete in other FIS disciplines: alpine, snowboard, freestyle and ski jumping.

See the full list of approved athletes HERE.

Read More: IOC brings Russians back into the Olympic fold

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