It is still possible that at least the final weekend of the World Cross Country Skiing Cup will not be skied in Russia. Finns will not be seen in them if the competitions do not move.
The Finnish Ski Association informs that Finland will not send teams to Russia for the Nordic World Cup in the rest of the season.
– We decided unanimously among the board not to send athletes to Russia to compete, given the gravity of the situation, Markku Haapasalmi says in the Ski Association’s press release.
The World Cross Country Cups are scheduled for March 18-20. Tyumen and the last two World Cup of Women’s Jumping March 18-20. Nizhny in Tagil and March 25-27. In Tchaikovsky.
The Ski Association says it is also surveying the security situation in Poland. The World Championships in ski jumping and combined youth will be held in Zakopane at the turn of February-March.
Earlier on Thursday, the Swedish Ski Association announced that it did not intend to take part in any races in Russia. Also a Norwegian star skier Johannes Hösflot Kläbo said he would not compete with Russia.
Athlete on the Board of the International Ski Federation Martti Jylhä said on Wednesday that the FIS will meet shortly to consider moving the race completely out of Russia.
– The goal would be to have the finals somewhere, but not in Russia. The further this thing goes, the more difficult it will be to move the race. Then the option may be to cancel the competition, Jylhä said.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday morning that Russia would launch a military operation in eastern Ukraine. According to Ukraine, Russia has started a full-scale war against Ukraine.
How has the Russian attack affected the world of sports?
This is how the events have been commented on