Norwegian biathlon profiles such as Johannes Thingnes Bø, Tarjei Bø and Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold are clear that the Russians and Belarusians are unwanted as long as the war continues.
Anfisa Reztsova, who won eleven World Cup competitions in biathlon between 1991 and 1995, reacts sharply, telling the Sport24 site:
— To be honest, the Norwegians have always been against us. That applies to the Bø brothers and the others. Therefore, this is not surprising. We are their biggest competitors and will always be stronger.
— That is why they are against us participating in international competitions. That’s how it’s always been. The Norwegians crawl everywhere like disgusting cockroaches.
Another former star, Olga Zaitseva, 44, does not use such strong imagery, but she too is critical of the boycott.
— The comments from the athletes are superfluous. They have no right to speak because they are turning sports into politics. Sport is not politics and the two things must be kept separate. Sport is an arena for peace where there should be no conflicts, she says.