Jevgeni Klimov’s gloves became the topic of discussion in the Lahti World Cup team hill competition.
Russian hill jumper Yevgeny Klimov aroused embarrassment at Saturday night’s team competition by wearing gloves with Russian flags drawn on the palm of his hand. They were visible when Klimov flashed to the television cameras after his jumps.
Russia finished eighth in the team competition won by Austria and Finland sixth.
The international media has wondered whether Klimov’s gesture was a kind of statement during Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine.
Competition Director of the FIS World Jumping World Cup Sandro Pertile tells Urheilu that the FIS is investigating the activities of a Russian jumper.
– We only saw a video of Klimov’s gesture after the race. We didn’t notice it before the race. I am going to meet the Russian team before today’s competition and find out what this is all about.
On Saturday, the FIS decided that Russian country codes, such as the flag or national anthem, would not be used at the Salpausselä Games. However, Russian athletes are allowed to participate in competitions in their own national team uniforms.
Chairman of the Russian Ski Jumping Association Dmitry Dubrovsky commented on a discussion on Match TV about Klimov’s gesture.
– The fly has been turned into an ox. On Friday, we received confirmation from the FIS that we can participate in the World Cup, but we do not have the Russian flag or national anthem at the awards ceremony.
– We, the representatives of Russian ski sports, were sympathetic to the ban on the flag and the national anthem, the federal boss said.