Russian skier Savely Korostelev has stated that he fully understands three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov's motivation to prove his superiority on the domestic cross-country skiing circuit.
Speaking on the Voice of the Champion podcast for the Russian Olympic Committee, as reported by Soviet Sport, the 22-year-old skier described Bolshunov's drive to beat him as a normal athletic practice.
Korostelev explained that if Bolshunov had been able to compete at the Winter Olympics while Korostelev remained in Russia, Korostelev would also have made it a point of principle to beat him afterward and put him in his place.
The comments follow a series of domestic races after the 2026 Winter Games, held in Milano-Cortina, Italy. Korostelev participated in the 2026 Olympic competition, whereas Bolshunov was not permitted to enter the international event.
Alexander Bolshunov is one of the most successful cross-country skiers in history, having captured three gold medals, two silvers and a bronze at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. His record has established him as the benchmark figure in Russian skiing.
Following the 2026 Olympic Games, Bolshunov asserted his dominance over Korostelev in all-Russian competitions. Bolshunov secured victory in five out of six starts at the Russian Cup final, while Korostelev failed to finish first in any of those races.
Domestic results and athletic motivation
Addressing his performance at the Russian Cup final, Korostelev said he did not set himself the task of winning every race at the event. He noted that he maintained a consistent level within the top two and top three finishes and arrived aiming to enjoy the competition.
Korostelev emphasized that he understands Bolshunov's perspective as a professional competitor. He stated that it is very tough for an athlete when they are locked out of competition, adding that he thanked Bolshunov for finding the drive to continue racing and demonstrating a high performance level.
Russian cross-country skiers have competed primarily in domestic events following restrictions imposed by international sports federations. Soviet Sport, one of Russia's principal sports news outlets, frequently covers the domestic cup circuit while international suspensions remain active.
Legal appeal and international restrictions
On January 28, Bolshunov attempted to challenge the refusal of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation to allow him to compete by filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The governing body, known as FIS, controls the international cross-country skiing calendar, including the World Cup.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, acts as an independent tribunal to resolve legal disputes in global athletics. Bolshunov sought to overturn the decision by FIS in an effort to regain eligibility for international events.
At 22 years old, Korostelev represents the new generation of Russian skiing talent. The head-to-head dynamic between the young Olympic participant and the 29-year-old three-time Olympic champion remains the primary storyline in domestic skiing as both athletes navigate the current competitive landscape.
