MOSCOW, Oct 10 Swedish skiers Lynn Swan and Maya Dahlqvist announced their readiness boycott the 2023 World Cup in Planica if athletes from Russia and Belarus are admitted to international competitions. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) at the end of February suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions due to events in Ukraine. The decision was open-ended as long as it remains in effect and is due to be reviewed by the FIS Council on 22 October. Earlier, FIS Secretary General Michel Vion said that the organization is considering the possibility of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions under a neutral flag.
"Shameful and not good. While Russia is in conflict with Ukraine, we must distance ourselves from it and not welcome the participation of Russian athletes. I think this is a clear position that the sport should take. Unfortunately, sport and politics are connected", Svan Aftonbladet quotes.
It is reported that skier Frida Karlsson is also ready to join the boycott.
"The whole world must do something, take a stand and do not allow them to participate while the conflict is ongoing", Karlsson VG quotes.
At the end of September, the president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR), Elena Vyalbe, said that at a meeting with the FIS leadership she was given to understand that after the announcement partial mobilization in Russia and referendums in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the issue of granting neutral status to Russian athletes was actually removed from the FIS agenda.