The picture from Russia has caused the whole world to react.
So also Frida Karlsson.
– It’s just scary, says the star to Expressen.
Russian skiers are still not allowed to compete in the World Cup, following the invasion of Ukraine two years ago. But that doesn’t stop the skiers from competing in Russia, and last week the Ski Track of Russia was decided, with over 10,000 skiers on the starting line.
The tribute to the military
From there, an image spread that made the whole world widen its eyes. Before the start, all riders were positioned so that a Z was formed. Since the invasion, the letter Z has become a symbol showing support for the Russian army and its soldiers. That the skiers formed a Z cannot be interpreted as anything other than pure support for the military, which VG has reported on.
“The organizer asked if people would show up to support the military special operation. Everyone was understanding, no one opposed it,” Russian authorities write according to the Norwegian newspaper.
The picture has caused the whole world to react, and so have several Swedish skiing stars. When Expressen shows the picture to Maja Dahlqvist, she reacts strongly.
– Oh, is it true? It actually feels completely sick – but I guess they had no other choice but to stand up, says Dahlqvist to the evening newspaper.
“It’s just scary”
Even Frida Karlsson reacts with horror when she sees the picture.
– It’s a bit scary, then. I really want to keep sports out of politics, but this is just terrifying. Here you really see how politics exploits sport for their own purposes, she says.
Jens Burman believes that the picture is proof of why Russian athletes, and then also skiers, do not belong in the World Cup or in championships.
– This picture shows how sport is used in Russia for political purposes. It’s too damn. And that’s why they shouldn’t be allowed to compete with us, says Burman.
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