International ski chief backs neutral Russian athletes at Olympics
The president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), Johan Eliasch, supports the participation of Russian athletes in the Winter Olympics in Milan in 2026.
Eliasch expressed his support for Russian athletes' participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan in 2026. According to the InsideTheGames, Eliasch believes that the policy of admitting neutral athletes, which was effective during the Summer Olympics in Paris, should continue.
Eliasch, who is running for the position of president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), emphasized that athletes should not be penalized for their nationality. In an interview with the "Sweden Herald," he noted that he would like Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, without a national anthem and without ties to the military or police.
Norwegian journalist Jan Petter Saltvedt from the NRK channel pointed out that countries opposing the participation of Russians still have strong reasons for their exclusion. However, if a truce with Ukraine occurs, the return of Russian athletes to the international arena might be expedited.
Saltvedt highlighted statements by Jelena Vyalbe, the head of the Russian ski federation, which he believes complicate the integration of Russians into competitions.
Her continuous idiotic and provocative statements contribute to the strong opposition against allowing Russian athletes to compete, he added.
The return of Bolshunov to the international scene
Aleksandr Bolshunov, a three-time Olympic champion, is returning to international competition after a three-year hiatus. He will compete in the 19-mile Sudtirol Moonlight Classic race, which is not organized under the auspices of FIS. Participation in this event is possible after paying an entry fee of $75.
Saltvedt emphasized that Bolshunov's presence in Italy and his training on Olympic courses may signal a chance for his participation in the Olympics next year. "Of course, there have been indications that a chance to compete in the Olympics may present itself next year, and he wants to be as well-prepared as possible,” commented Saltvedt.
