Still war in Ukraine.
Then Sebastian Samuelsson and Elvira Öberg want Russian skaters to be carried over from this year’s World Cup season.
– It would feel very strange, says Samuelsson.
It was in February that Vladimir Putin chose to send his troops into Ukraine to start a war with the country. As a result, scores of Russian athletes were ported and suspended from their sports and leagues, and the Biathlon World Cup was no exception. There, all Russian and Belarusian skiers were banned immediately.
Don’t want to see the Russian riders
What will happen to the skiers this season is unclear, but it is clear that a decision will be made this week, in connection with the International Biathlon Union’s annual congress. There are many indications that the rides will continue to be shut down, as the war is far from over.
It is a hot and controversial topic, but in Sweden the position is completely clear. Sebastian Samuelsson now wants skaters from Russia and Belarus to continue to be kept out of the World Cup.
– It is clear that it is not a fun situation for the Belarusian or Russian riders, as well as for the Ukrainian riders. It is of course very sad that this is where we have ended up, at the same time I do not currently see how we can welcome them back to the World Cup, it would feel very strange, says Sebastian Samuelsson to SVT.
“Hard to see them compete”
He is supported by Elvira Öberg, who also believes that the skaters should be suspended – this despite the fact that the women’s side is losing two big stars in the form of Dzinara Alimbekava and Hanna Sola, both from Belarus.
– It is clear that it is not positive, it is a shame that the sport should be affected, but at the same time it feels like it would be very difficult to let them compete, says Öberg.
Sebastian Samuelsson believes that there is a chance for the riders to be welcomed back, but he does not see it as a likely scenario.
– It is necessary in some way that the war ends in any case and that the Russian and Belarusian biathlon federations strongly distance themselves from the war, then there is a chance in some way to be able to see them in the World Cup. But I see it as very unbelievable that it would happen before the war ends, says the star.
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