Alexander Bolshunov, a three-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing, did not watch the skiathlon event at the World Championships. He noted that Norway’s Johannes Klebo earned a silver medal in the competition, while Simen Kruger claimed the gold in skiathlon. Bolshunov relayed these remarks to Sport Express, offering a snapshot of a day filled with speculation and shifting outcomes.
“I’m not watching. The day before yesterday marked Anya Zherbyateva’s birthday. A journalist, Yuri Borodavko, called. People keep asking about skiathlon, but we are focused on hosting the World Cup ourselves. I suspect Klebo won. Then I wake up the next morning and it isn’t Klebo. It seems fine—this would mean he can no longer complete the six-gold program. Farewell already! And we are not done yet!” Bolshunov explained. His comments capture the mix of anticipation and uncertainty that characterizes major winter sports championships, where outcomes can hinge on a single race and public narratives often outpace official results. (Citation: Sport Express)
On January 25, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it was weighing the possibility of allowing Russian athletes who do not support Russia’s conduct in Ukraine to participate in international events under a neutral status. This potential framework would permit athletes to compete while avoiding association with their nation’s government stance, a policy approach that has implications for team selections, sponsorships, and athlete career trajectories in North American and global markets. (Citation: IOC Announcement)
The International Ski Federation (FIS) had previously excluded Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions through the end of the 2021–22 season, a ban that was extended for the 2022–23 season. The decision reflected ongoing tensions between sport governance and geopolitical developments, and it influenced athletes’ training plans, competition calendars, and the competitive landscape across Nordic skiing disciplines. (Citation: FIS Protocols)
Earlier statements suggested that Russia would be readmitted to the Olympic program for the 2026 Games, a development that would reshape expectations for Nordic skiing teams and their performance on the world stage. Such a move would likely alter qualification pathways, sponsorship dynamics, and media coverage across Canada and the United States, where fans closely follow the transitions in international sport governance and eligibility. (Citation: Olympic Committee Briefing)