Late Friday, FIS announced a new list of Russian athletes granted neutral status, including the first of the truly big stars.

Younger sister Dariya Nepryaeva was granted neutral status last year and participated in both the Olympics and the World Cup. Now, the six-year-older Natalia is also ready to compete.

31-year-old Natalia Terenteva (formerly Nepryaeva) is the first of the major Russian stars confirmed for the upcoming World Cup season. This was announced when the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) released an updated list of approved applications on Friday evening.

During the 2022 Olympics, she won gold in the relay, as well as silver and bronze in individual events. That same year, she also claimed victory in both the Tour de Ski and the overall World Cup, despite not being able to compete in the final rounds after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Since then, she has married Alexander Terentev, one of the few who has defeated Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in World Cup races, and has become a mother twice—most recently less than a year ago.

Also Read: Nepryaeva in tears after FIS decision to uphold Russian ban

Wave of Russians granted approval

Terenteva is among over 60 Russians who have received approval for neutral status this season, compared to just two last year. This follows FIS’s recent adoption of new rules that have allowed many more athletes to gain approval.

So far, over 200 athletes from the two countries have been cleared to participate in international competitions, and Russian Ski President Dmitri Svishchev expects more approvals to come.

“I believe many of our biggest stars will receive FIS approval very soon,” says Svishchev.

Currently, two of the biggest names are still awaiting approval: Alexander Bolshunov and Veronika Stepanova.

View the complete list of approved athletes HERE.

Read More – New update: Bolshunov’s return on the horizon

The World Cup kicks off on November 26 in Ruka, Finland. The World Championships will take place from February 22 to March 7.

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