The FIS refused to grant Bolshunov neutral status.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has refused to grant three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov neutral status. This was announced on November 13 by Ekaterina Galkina, Secretary General of the Russian Ski and Snowboard Federation (FLSSR).

"We have received an official refusal to grant Bolshunov neutral status," she was quoted as saying by TASS.

On November 9, FIS published updated lists of Russian athletes who were granted 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, Denis Spitsov and Evgenia Krupitskaya. There is no information that Bolshunov has been granted the appropriate status.

We would have allowed it: FIS changed the rules for the return of Russians to international competitions

The new procedure may open the way to the World Cup, including for Alexander Bolshunov.

Bolshunov complained on August 10 about the FIS's formal approach to reviewing applications from Russian athletes. According to the skier, the organization forbade him to participate in international competitions, including the selection for the Olympics in Italy.

Two-time Olympic champion Petter Northug said on June 21 that Bolshunov was needed by world ski racing. He noted that the Russian skier remains one of the world's leading athletes and, in his opinion, will be among the strongest if he participates in international competitions.