If they receive the green light from FIS, at least four strong Russian talents are expected to be ready for the World Cup. Russia won its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and now the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) must reverse the suspension. This could affect the World Cup this weekend.

“Trondheim is a possibility, absolutely. We’ll come by helicopter!” says Russia coach Egor Sorin in a text message.

They are now waiting for a decision from FIS, but the coach fears the weekend’s World Cup round could be lost.

“Russians cannot enter Norway because of border rules. They should have special rules for FIS-neutral athletes,” Sorin says.

After the Russians won their case in CAS on Tuesday, FIS must allow participants who meet the criteria for neutral status to compete and qualify for the Olympics.

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

The criteria themselves will exclude many of the most prominent Russian stars, including the 2022 Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov. But several athletes should be able to meet the requirements.

Read More: “The Russians have become much better, several may now be Olympic-ready”

Dariya Nepryaeva (23)

Darya Nepryaeva won the Russian Cup last winter by a large margin. She is the younger sister of Natalia Terenteva (formerly Nepryaeva), who won Olympic silver in the skiathlon in 2022. Darya Nepryaeva became Junior World Champion at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Lygna.

Alina Pekletsova and Evgenia Krupitskaya are also expected to be in the mix.

Saveliy Korostelev (21)

Saveliy Korostelev dominated the Junior World Championships in Lygna in 2022. He took two gold medals and one silver at the championships at just 18 years old.

He excels in both sprint and distance races, in both classic and skating techniques, and already beats everyone — including 2022 Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov and Alexander Terentev, one of the few to beat Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in a World Cup sprint.

Read More: Russian talent challenges FIS ban – aims for 2026 Olympics

Sergei Ardashev (27)

Sergei Ardashev dominated the U23 World Championships in 2021, especially in the 15km race, where he beat last year’s World Cup winner Harald Østberg Amundsen by over a minute. He has medals from three different U23 World Championships. Last winter, he finished second in the Russian Cup and beat Bolshunov on several occasions.

Sergei Volkov (24)

Sergei Volkov did not have the chance to make a name for himself before the suspension, but he has delivered strong performances in Russia over recent seasons.

The CAS ruling applies not only to the named athletes in the appeal but to all Russian and Belarusian athletes who meet the requirements.

These are the athletes named in the CAS appeal

Russia

Saveliy Korostelev, Lana Prusakova, Maria Travinitseva, Artyom Galunin, Ekaterina Tkachenko, Danil Sadreyev, Alexey Bugaev, Varvara Vorontsikhina, Anastasia Bagazhin, Ivan Golubkov, Polina Novakovskaya, Mikhail Slinkin.

Belarus

Hanna Huskova, Anna Derugo, Anastasia Andriyanova, Ihar Drabiankou, Uladzislau Vaznyuk.

Read More: Sprint clash in Russia prompts urgent disciplinary talks

FACTS: These are the IOC’s criteria

To be approved as a “neutral” athlete under IOC rules, athletes must:

• Qualify through the standard international qualification systems
• Not have supported the war against Ukraine
• Not be connected to military or security forces
• Follow all anti-doping rules and sign the Olympic participation conditions

Are you interested in biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries is available.

When you become part of one of the World’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER