PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Russian cross-country skiers should continue to be suspended from the World Cup and championships, believes the Swedish star Frida Karlsson.
At the same time, she wonders how it is with the riders in Russia.
– Do they compete? Have they quit? You don’t really know anything, says the 25-year-old.
Skiers from Russia and Belarus have not been allowed to compete in the Skiing World Cup since Russia’s full-scale war of invasion against Ukraine in February 2022.
That’s the way it should stay, believes the big star Frida Karlsson.
– This question is a dilemma. It is a great pity for the individuals, but at the same time there is no difference in society now. So I don’t understand why we would make any difference as a matter of course now either, says Karlsson to TT during the high-altitude camp in Lavazé, Italy.
“Put off or?”
Is it an issue you talk about in the national team?
– No, I wouldn’t say that. More than we can think about from time to time how the situation is with the Russian riders now. You have no idea. What do they do? Do they compete? Have they quit? It is completely blank for us. You don’t really know anything.
The national team mate Ebba Andersson trust that leading people in the International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation (FIS) make the right decision.
– They are welcomed back when the time is right. There are many others who are the right people to decide, says Andersson.
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During the cross-country team’s camp in Trondheim in August, opinions were somewhat divided.
– You’ve almost gotten used to them not being there. It’s terrible but at the same time skiing is such a small sport so I think in the end we will still need the Russians in the sport, said Calle Halfvarsson.
“Nothing changed”
Lynn Svahn stated that she wanted to keep the Russians out as long as the war lasted.
– My opinion is that nothing has changed and therefore no change should be made, said Svahn.
READ MORE: The Swedish talent leaves Sweden and changes country – now opens up about the controversial decision: “It was a shock”
Karin Mattsson resigned at the end of August as president of the Swedish Skiing Federation, but this summer she expressed concern that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) would put pressure on Fis to allow Russian participation in the 2025 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
– Yes, I’m worried. Absolutely, because the risk is there, said Karin Mattsson.
Individual Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to participate in this summer’s Olympics in Paris under a neutral flag and with the requirement of neutrality, but not in all sports. For example, athletics has excluded athletes from the countries entirely.
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