Skier Stepanova refused to apply for neutral status in the FIS
Russian skier Veronika Stepanova has stated that she does not intend to apply for neutral status with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). The athlete announced this on December 12 in her Telegram channel.
According to Stepanova, she is a Russian citizen and a Russian athlete, and sees no reason to abandon her position.
"Athletes should refrain from any actions or communication related to the national flag, anthem, coat of arms or any other symbol of the Russian Federation," she quoted the rules of performance in a neutral status, indicating that she would not perform them in this form.
The skier stressed that she was not going to change her previously expressed views and intended to return to international competitions only under the state symbols of her country. At the same time, the athlete noted that she respects the choice of compatriots who decided to apply for a neutral status.
"I do not condemn those who applied for neutral status, and among them are many of my friends in skiing and other sports. And I don't discuss their human qualities and motives," the skier pointed out.
Prior to that, on December 11, FIS denied Russian Sergey Ardashev a neutral status to participate in the World Cup. The day before, skiers Savely Korostelev and Daria Nepryaeva received neutral statuses. They will perform at the final stage of the World Cup in Davos on December 13-14, qualifying for the 2026 Olympic Games.
The FIS's decision to allow only two Russian skiers to be selected has attracted criticism in Russia. On December 10, two-time Olympic hockey champion and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Fetisov called it an attempt to "split both society and our team." He also noted that the restriction of participation is an "unsportsmanlike situation."
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