On Wednesday evening at 18:53, the International Ski Federation (FIS) released an updated list of Russian and Belarusian athletes who have been granted the status of individual neutral athletes (AIN). This status allows athletes from countries facing sanctions to compete without representing their national teams. Among those approved on October 1st were cross-country skiers Nikita Denisov, Dariya Nepryaeva, Hanna Machakhina, Kseniia Shorokhova, and Sergey Volkov, who recently won medals at the Slovenian roller skiing championships. Ski jumpers Danil Sadreev, Evgenii Klimov, Ilya Mankov, Mikhail Nazarov, and Konstantin Nikolaev also received approval. However, Savelii Korostelev, a Russian cross-country skier who achieved a podium finish in the World Cup last winter, was not included in this update. In the second version of the list, Korostelev was left out despite his recent success. Meanwhile, Nordic combined athletes Artem Galunin and Samir Mastiev were added to the AIN list, expanding the number of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under this neutral status. The changes reflect ongoing evaluations by the FIS regarding the eligibility of athletes from sanctioned countries. The updated list was made publicly available by October 6, 2026, providing clarity for athletes, coaches, and fans about who would be competing under the AIN designation. This status has been a point of discussion in international sports, as it allows athletes to continue competing while adhering to sanctions imposed by international bodies. The inclusion or exclusion of athletes from the AIN list can have significant implications for their careers, as it affects their ability to participate in international competitions and gain recognition. The FIS continues to monitor and update the list based on the latest developments and guidelines from international sports organizations.