Saveli Korosteljow is Russian and fourth in the skiathlon. The fact that he actually should have received bronze should not be noticed. Because he is a sports soldier.
Not much is known in the non-Russian sports world about Saveli Korostelev, the Russian cross-country skier who came close to winning a medal on Sunday as a so-called neutral. The 22-year-old Russian came fourth in the skiathlon, which involves first running 10 kilometers in the classic manner and then skating for another 10 kilometers.
The last time he attracted international attention was in February 2022, when he was 18. Just as the Russian army was crossing the border into Ukraine, he won the classic over 10 kilometers at the Junior World Championships in Norway. This was followed by the exclusion of Russian skiers from all international ski federation competitions.
Even under a neutral flag, as the IOC had advised the sports associations, Korostelev was not allowed to compete. Only a successful lawsuit before the international sports arbitration court Cas gave him the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics in the World Cup in December. Until then it ran mainly in Russia. In doing so, he distanced Alexander time and again Bolschunowwho won three gold medals at the Beijing Games and was considered the only cross-country skier who could compete with the Norwegian hero Johannes Klæbo.
It was only through a lawsuit before the Cas that he was able to qualify for the Olympics in the World Cup
He won the race in Tesero, in which Korosteljow came fourth. But shouldn’t he have come third? Silver medalist Mathis Desloges from France accidentally left the track for a short time. But the jury didn’t want to disqualify him because of that. A protest had no consequences. The Russian sports press is not surprised by this. If things were fair in sport, Korosteljow would now have bronze, he commented Sport-Express.
Maybe it’s a good thing for Korosteljow that his name remains in the shadows. Otherwise there would definitely be heated discussions about his eligibility to participate. The Ukrainian research platform It will be recommended had an article on the website of the Russian army sports club CSKA unearthed, in which he was described as a sports soldier. As such, he would not have the right to start as a neutral. His name cannot be found in the current membership directories of the CSKA clubs.
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