Head of the Russian Ski Federation Elena Vyalbe has publicly criticized young cross-country skier Savely Korostelev following his remarks targeting three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov. The conflict stemmed from Bolshunov’s earlier dismissal of the 2026 Winter Games, which he labeled a circus and suggested winning a medal there would be straightforward.
Korostelev seized on those comments in an interview, questioning why Bolshunov did not compete in the Olympics if he truly believed victory would come so easily. The remark was widely interpreted as a thinly veiled challenge to the decorated veteran.
Vyalbe, however, was not impressed with the younger athlete’s stance. She noted that Bolshunov’s criticism was aimed broadly at the Olympic event rather than at Korostelev personally. “He did not single out Savely,” she explained, emphasizing that the comments were more general in nature.
The federation president then turned her attention to Korostelev’s own record, pointing out that he returned from the Olympics without a medal. “I have never seen Sasha respond to Korostelev. Savely loves this sort of thing—he wants to be a star on every screen and in every newspaper. But he would be an even bigger star if he came back with an Olympic medal,” Vyalbe said.
She advised Korostelev to tone down his public comments and refocus on his athletic development. “In my view, he needs to pipe down a little and train,” Vyalbe stated, suggesting that the young skier’s energy would be better spent on the track than in the media.
At the same time, Vyalbe acknowledged Korostelev’s potential and his deep commitment to the sport. “He will move forward. Savely’s whole athletic life is ahead of him, he is dedicated to sport, everything will be fine. He is still young, but this is how it is—if nothing is written about him today, he thinks ‘Everyone forgot me!’ This is the generation we have now,” she concluded.
The exchange highlights the tension between Russia’s established skiing stars and the next generation, especially in the context of diminished international competition. Vyalbe’s firm message suggests she expects younger athletes to earn their spotlight through results rather than controversy.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.