For the first time in nearly three years, competing abroad for the first time in skiing circles.
14.2. 20: 00 • Updated 14.2. 20:42
Russian cross -country skier Aleksandr Bolšunov Won the 30 kilometer race at the Sudtirol Moonlight Classic on Thursday in Italy. This was the first time in almost three years when the Russian competed outside his home country.
“The other competitors of my level are currently participating in the World Cup, we will stay here,” Bolshunov comments after his performance.
In the winter of 2022, Bolshunov after successful Beijing Winter Olympics, Russians were excluded from competitions under the International Ski Association (FIS) due to an attack on Ukraine.
The competition in Seiser Alm was not subject to FIS.
Bolšunov said it is difficult to maintain motivation and fitness in such a situation.
– But we were allowed to compete here from Trump here. It feels good, the Russian threw.
Bolšunov naturally referred to the US president To Donald Trumpwho has been in the headlines in recent days, drawing his own guidelines to end the Ukrainian war. Trump discussed Wednesday on the phone Vladimir Putin with.
Bolšunov was in a traditional skiing race well over 14 seconds faster Italy Lorenzo Businia.
Sparked debate
Competition of Bolshunov has sparked debate in skiing districts.
– It came to me as a little shock, admitted the Swedish national team star Hut Dahlqvist For SVT.
Norwegian national team Erik Valnes In the opinion of Bolšunov, participation is wrong.
– I think they should not be able to participate until things have changed, Valenes comment For the Norwegian VG magazine.
Norwegian skiing king Johannes Hösflot Kläbo He feels that the situation is still as difficult as three years ago.
– I don’t feel that things have changed much, Kläbo wondered.
However, Kläbo saw that because it is not a FIS competition, the organizers can act as they wish and others have little to say about it.
According to Kläbo, who is preparing for the World Championships in two weeks, the subject is “the last thing he is currently thinking about”.
-It’s something we need to bring to the debate after the World Cup. After that, we can form our opinion.
Bolshunov was also asked about the criticism of Kläbon and other ski stars.
– The young Norwegian skiers I have met have come to me and wanted to take pictures with me. I haven’t noticed anything. They are friendly to me, Bolshunov acknowledged criticism.
– They take pictures and want to shake me up. So all is fine.
The organizer made the ticket neutral
– He was practicing here and asked if he could participate in the competition. We responded affirmatively and said that every year we have also had Russian athletes and this year, who belongs to the event organizer Martina Rier Tarkat Russian skier’s participation in the competition in Italy.
Rier said that the organizers did not have much discussion before making the decision.
“Our organization is for sports, and sports should belong to everyone,” Rier explained and said they did not want to have political debate.
According to Swedish media, the Russian flag was followed by the name of Bolshunov on the starting list, but later the organizers turned it into a neutral flag.
Ready to come back?
In the same scenery in Italy, the Olympic medals will be skied next winter. FIS has not yet decided whether the Russians will be able to participate in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
According to the media Johan Eliasch Could allow Russian athletes to be involved as neutral athletes in the same way as at the Paris Summer Olympics.
– At least they do the assignment. This suggests that they should be ready on the day they return, the Russian trip to Italy surprised Eve Northug said to the Norwegian newspaper.
Northug hopes that the war in Ukraine will end.
– When it stops, we gradually need the Russians back to cross -country skiing.