Athletes from Russia and Belarus have not been allowed to compete in the Ski World Cup since Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
So it should remain, thinks star athlete Frida Karlsson.
This issue is a dilemma. It's extremely sorry for the individuals, but at the same time, there is no difference in society now. So I don't understand why we would make any difference in terms of rules now either, says Karlsson to TT during the high-altitude training camp in Italian Lavazé.
"Have they quit?"
Is this a question you discuss in the national team?
No, I wouldn't say that. More than that we can now and then wonder how the situation is with the Russian skiers now. You don't have a clue. What are they doing? Are they competing? Have they quit? It's completely blank for us. You don't know anything really.
National team colleague Ebba Andersson trusts that leading persons in the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (Fis) will make the right decision.
They are welcome back when the time is right for it. There are many others who are the right people to decide, says Andersson.
During the national team's camp in Trondheim in August, there were partly divided opinions.
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, said Calle Halfvarsson.
"Nothing has changed"
Linn Svahn stated that she wants to keep the Russians out as long as the war is going on.
My opinion is that nothing has changed, and therefore, no change should be made, said Svahn.
Karin Mattsson resigned as chairman of the Swedish Ski Association at the end of August, but last summer, she expressed concern that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) would put pressure on Fis to allow Russian participation in the 2025 Winter Olympic Games in Italian Milano and Cortina.
Yes, I'm worried. Absolutely, since the risk exists, said Karin Mattsson.
Individual Russian and Belarusian athletes were allowed to participate in the summer OS in Paris under a neutral flag and with demands for neutrality, but not in all sports. For example, athletics has completely excluded athletes from the countries.
