Stupak, the Olympic cross-country skiing champion from Russia, has stated she does not plan to retire, according to Match TV, and she remains eager to compete while exploring other athletic avenues.
“Nothing is over yet until I say so myself. I dedicated this season to my family and other areas of life. I plan to run a few marathons. I’ll definitely let you know when I’m done”, Stupak said.
Elena Vyalbe, president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, previously expressed the view that Stupak would not return to the sport, a comment that added another layer to the ongoing discussion about her career.
At 28, Stupak captured a gold medal in the relay and earned two bronze medals at the 2022 Olympic Games. She is also a three-time medalist at the world championships, a testament to her consistency on the best stages of the sport.
In late February 2022 the International Olympic Committee called on international sports federations to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions, a move that shaped multiple disciplines worldwide. The IOC later decided that Russians and Belarusians could participate in the 2024 Olympic Games as neutral athletes, provided they meet a set of requirements and qualifications. Medals earned by Russians and Belarusians were not counted in the unofficial medal tallies, reflecting the neutral status of these athletes.
Earlier, Russian skiers and snowboarders had not returned to the international arena, a pattern that reflected the broader disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions and the evolving landscape of winter sports on the world stage.