Bolshunov will be received politely, but without hugs

Norwegian journalist Jan Petter Saltvedt told RIA Novosti what Alexander Bolshunov’s reception would be like if the three-time Olympic champion is allowed to return to international competitions — and at the same time explained why the skier himself Recently, more and more often he talks not about victories, but about family.

Return without fanfare

According to Saltvedt, no one is going to create hostility towards Bolshunov, xrust reported. His rivals recognize his level and, in general, would like to see him on the track — but skepticism about his admission has not gone away. The journalist predicts a smooth, polite reception without much warmth: the Russian’s reputation in the international arena was not easy long before all the sanctions; he never really made friends among his competitors.

Why there is still no admission

The formal reason for the refusal is the decision of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), which did not provide Bolshunov has a neutral status. The athlete, in his own words, was not given an explanation: applications are considered formally, and refusals come on the same day without further consideration.

At the same time, the FIS admission system has already been recognized as controversial. In October, the federation confirmed the ban for Russians and Belarusians, but on December 2 the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) called this decision unlawful. FIS agreed with the verdict and opened the acceptance of applications for neutral status — as a result, skiers Savely Korostelev, Nikita Denisov and Daria Nepryaeva received it. Bolshunov was not among them.

Family instead of starts

Against this background, in August, the 29-year-old athlete spoke for the first time about retiring from his career — not as a decision made, but as a thought that increasingly comes to mind. Bolshunov had a second daughter, Olivia (in 2022, the couple already had a daughter, Eva), and the skier admitted: he just wants to stay close to his wife and children, and not wait for another refusal.

Russian skiers have not competed at international tournaments under the auspices of FIS since 2022. The next meeting of the federation, where the admission procedure may be revised, is expected in September — so certainty on the status of the most titled of the suspended Russians may appear in the coming weeks.

Xrust Bolshunov will be received politely, but without hugs