Russian skiers Spitsov and Krupitskaya received neutral status from FIS

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has granted Russian skiers Denis Spitsov and Evgenia Krupitskaya the status of individual neutral athletes (AIN), allowing them to participate in international competitions in the 2026/27 season. This became known on November 9 from the updated list published on the organization's website.

In addition to Spitsov, who became the Olympic champion in the relay at the 2022 Games in Beijing, and Krupitskaya, who took second place in the overall standings of the Russian Cup in cross-country skiing in the 2025/26 season, nine more Russian skiers received neutral status.

Among them were Alexander Bakurov, Egor Gusak, Elizaveta Yeremeyeva, Natalia Kramarenko, Irina Mitroshina, Danil Nelipa, Dmitry Ploskonosov, Arseniy Pozdeev, Anastasia Prokofiev and Timur Shakirzyanov.

In addition, the coaches of the Russian national team, Alexander Kravchenko and Vladimir Frolov, as well as representatives of the service staff, Anton Korobelnikov, Alexey Toritsyn and Andrey Schmidt, received admission.

At the same time, three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov is not on the updated list of eligible athletes.

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On October 14, the FIS granted neutral status to five Russian athletes for the 2026/27 season. Alina Pekletsova, the winner of the 2026 Cup of Russia, was included in the list of athletes who received admission to international starts in a neutral capacity.

According to the FIS rules for the 2026/27 season, Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete in international tournaments only in an individual neutral status. The use of national flags, anthems and national symbols is prohibited. In addition, athletes must comply with anti-doping requirements and sign a declaration of neutrality.