Before next season, probably around autumn, the International Ski Federation (FIS) will once again decide whether Russian and Belarusian cross-country skiers will be allowed to participate in the World Cup and championships.
Breed: – Incomprehensible
Athletes from Russia and Belarus are known to have been banned after the war in Ukraine broke out.
But despite the fact that Russia’s and Belarus’ participation will be discussed at the highest level, Russian ski president Jelena Välbe has little faith that the exclusion will end.
He delivered the following merciless message to the FIS:
– It seems to me that they can discuss as much as they want. I don’t care at all. Let them discuss, Välbe told the newspaper Championship.
Before he concludes:
– I am one hundred percent sure that nothing positive will come of this meeting for us.
CLEAR MESSAGE: From Russian ski president Jelena Välbe. Photo: Fredrik Hagen/NTB
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Had the Tour de Ski
Championat called the interview with Välbe “hot”. The controversial 55-year-old woman is known for saying exactly what she thinks, and often delivering what must be described as new statements.
Due to Russia’s exclusion from international competition, the association has been discussing separate variants of the Tour de Ski ski concept.
– This is the format we are interested in. A race that goes from A to B, and a mountain to climb. But we don’t want to copy things, emphasizes Välbe.
TOUR DE SKI: Walk without Russian participation. Photo: Terje Pedersen/NTB
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Chinese cooperation
He went on to say that Russia is considering a sports collaboration with China, in which countries compete against each other.
Välbe is still not entirely sure about the potential for collaboration with China at the very top level.
– Of course, we have to wait for Chinese athletes next season. We are very sorry, they don’t have many good athletes who can compete with us. But they are very interested in our children’s sports, reports Välbe.
He continued:
– They wanted to have a collaborative camp so the kids could see others train and get time for the cultural program. I thought it would be cool to show Moscow or St. Petersburg. Petersburg to children.
TALKING TOGETHER: Jelena Välbe and Yuri Tcharkovskij. Photo: Terje Pedersen/NTB
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Rest
Back in March, Välbe blasted the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He was dissatisfied with the proposal that Russia could participate in international competitions under a neutral flag.
– I don’t even want to get into it! I am categorically against neutral status, especially since there are a lot of extras, according to Välbe Championship.
– Means everything
He listed a number of criteria, including that one must not be associated with the Russian military and not participate in Putin’s “Z-party”.
According to NTB, it became clear in March that the IOC recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be able to participate in international sports competitions under a neutral flag, but will wait to decide whether they will be allowed to participate in the Olympics in 2024.
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