The skiers will be accompanied by a small support team of a few coaches, according to multiple reports. Kiuru stated that preparations have taken the world situation into account but did not specify concrete security measures. Hannu Vappula, responsible for competition security, was also reticent about details, saying only that 'things are arranged so that everyone can be safe on Finnish soil.'
Travel to Finland for Russian citizens has been strictly restricted since 2022, but professional athletes are an exception. The athletes and support staff need a visa, which requires an official invitation from the Finnish Ski Association. However, association chair Sirpa Korkatti stated the association has not been contacted about visa matters and has not invited the Russians. If a Russian athlete has a permit to enter the Schengen area from another Schengen country, they can also enter Finland with that permit.
Things are arranged so that everyone can be safe on Finnish soil.
Korkatti opposes the return of Russian athletes to international competitions and her stance remains unchanged. 'The situation in Ukraine has not changed at all. I watch it very sadly, but of course we have to act according to international protocol,' she said. Russian and Belarusian skiers were welcomed back to the World Cup in December after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned FIS's ban. Korosteljov and Neprjajeva were the only Russian skiers also in the Tour de Ski and the Milan-Cortina Olympics, according to multiple reports. No Russian ski jumpers or Nordic combined athletes are participating in Lahti. The two skiers are rumored to be in a romantic relationship, dubbed 'the biggest romantic sensation of the year' by Russian media Sovsport. They posted pictures from the same locations in Paris in April, fueling romance rumors. Neprjajeva was previously in a relationship with skier Sergey Volkov, which ended after the Olympics, while Korosteljov became single in summer 2025, according to Sovsport.