MOSCOW, March 29 Three-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Alexander Bolshunov believes that the removal of the Russians will lead to a lack of fair competition and the dominance of Norwegian skiers. Against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine, the International Ski Federation (FIS) first deprived Russia of the right to host the World Cup Final in Tyumen, and then decided not to allow participation in competitions under the auspices of the organization athletes from Russia and Belarus. This decision was made in accordance with the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the ban will be valid until the end of the 2021/22 season. «When the strongest skiers are excluded, it will be just the Norwegian championship, since the Russian team is a direct competitor. proved that we are one of the main athletes in skiing, we are worthy of the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup. Competition should be in a fair fight, in a clean fight, and when this does not happen, it is no longer a sport, «Bolshunov said in an interview TV channel «Russia 24». In March, the Norwegian side, before the ban on participation by the FIS, refused to allow Russian athletes to compete in two stages of the World Cup.
"This is no good, respect should have been present, but in that situation people, apparently, have forgotten everything and began to use other methods to influence us, although we are athletes and come to compete honestly and cleanly. There was a lot of negativity in Norway, because if we ran a race that had a lot of Norwegian fans, it would not be safe to run there, anything could happen", he added.