Russian skiers want to be removed from competitions in Norway

MOSCOW, February 28 Head of the FIS Cross-Country Committee, Norwegian Vegard Ulvang urged not to allow Russians to participate in the World Cup even under the threat of taking away the stages of this tournament from Norway. Earlier, Russia was deprived of the right to host the World Cup Final in cross-country skiing, which was to be held in Tyumen from March 18 to 20. Also, the flag and anthem of the Russian Federation will not be used at official ceremonies, including at award ceremonies following the results of competitions. The head coach of the Russian national cross-country skiing team Yuri Borodavko said that the team still plans to perform at the next stages in the Norwegian Drammen and Oslo. «If the FIS does not agree with this, let them take the World Cup stages from us. This is a risk that we must take in order to force the federation into action,» the three-time Olympic champion said in an interview with NRK. «We cannot allow those those who were shot ran home to fight, and those who shoot were racing,” Ulvang explained his position. Norwegian skier Teresa Johaug earlier appealed to prevent Russian athletes from participating in the World Cup in cross-country skiing.