In connection with Karin Mattsson, chairman of the Swedish Ski Association, being elected to the board of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (Fis), she expressed concern that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would put pressure on Fis regarding Russian participation in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Even though the war in Ukraine is still ongoing.
Yes, I'm worried. Absolutely, since there is a risk, says Karin Mattsson, emphasizing that within the Fis board, the four Nordic representatives are united in not allowing Russian skiers to participate for now.
"Small sport"
Russian and Belarusian skiers have not been allowed to compete in the Ski World Cup since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, just a few days after the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing ended.
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 that in the end, we'll need the Russians in the sport, says Calle Halfvarsson.
He continues:
Even though they have a history of a lot of crap and misery, they (Russia) are still a major nation in skiing and we'll need them. Yes, it's both good and bad if they come back before the war is over. It's all weird. Should they ski without a flag and that?
“Missing them”
Jonna Sundling misses the Russian competition.
I think it's fun to compete against everyone. Actually, I miss them. It's a very difficult situation. I can't say what's right or wrong, says she.
She personally feels no discomfort if the Russians and Belarusians were welcomed back to the Olympic Games, which start in a year and a half. But thinks it would be unpleasant if those who explicitly supported President Vladimir Putin were allowed to participate.
It's a special situation. It also feels weird to suddenly take them back. Nothing has changed. I think it's sad how the world looks today. But you want everyone to be included.
Linn Svahn wants to keep the Russians out as long as the war is ongoing.
My opinion is that nothing has changed, and therefore, no change should be made. But it's always a political game and it has to do with many more factors, such as economy, this and that, says she.
Anders Hansson/TT
Facts: Russia and the Olympic Games
TT
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams have been banned from competing internationally in most sports.
One reason is that Russian President Vladimir Putin is believed to use sports as a propaganda tool.
In the recently concluded Summer Olympic Games in Paris, a few Russians and Belarusians were allowed to participate under a neutral flag individually, but not in teams. The condition was that the athletes had no connection to the Russian military. Several Russian and Belarusian athletes chose to boycott the games, including all Russian wrestlers.
