– Based on discussions and media reports in the last few days, the athlete committee apologizedthe committee wrote in a press release.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) opened on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes could again gain access to international sport. In the justification, it was pointed out, among other things, that most of the athlete representatives wanted to see the possibilities.

At the decided meeting, Uhrenholdt Jacobsen represented the opinion of the Norwegian athletes. After the meeting, it was revealed that he was advocating discussion of banning Russian athletes

– The Athletes Committee is asked to participate in the ongoing international consultation process on sports participation in relation to the situation in Ukraine and all sanctions and recommendations for improvement, the committee wrote and continued:

– It is important to clarify that the manager never communicated that there was a decision in the Norwegian athletes’ committee, so the manager’s contribution in the consulting process was principally throughout without advancing any solution.

Got criticism

Jacobsen has received heavy criticism from some Norwegian athletes who believe that Norway should distance itself more from Russian and Belarusian athletes while the war is still ongoing.

– In hindsight, the case is such that the Athletes Committee should have carried out a more systematic mapping work among our members before our participation in the international community. Thus, we can convey a clear stance, if there is a desire to do so, write the committee.

– A round of consultations will take place before the athletes’ committee makes a statement on behalf of the top Norwegian athletes.

Jacobsen stated earlier this week that banning Russian and Belarusian athletes was problematic.

– If sport wants to remain neutral and not tolerate discrimination, you cannot ban athletes because of Russian passports, Uhrenholdt Jacobsen told NRK and continued:

– There are also violations of human rights. What I do is advocate for a discussion.

Don’t agree

Along with Jacobsen, Anna Margrete Sletsjøe (co-chair), Aida Dahlen, Anita Yvonne Stenberg, Birgit Skarstein, Lena Schrøder, Sarah Louise Rung, Stian Skjerahaug and Øyvind Watterdal also sat on the show committee.

On Friday evening, Skarstein said he did not fully agree with the chairman of the committee.

– Yes, we may have a slightly different entrance there. Astrid has advocated a more general and principled approach to the question, and I think that’s wise. At the same time, we cannot ignore the practical and real political ramifications of this situation, said Skarstein.

Watterdal on the athletes’ committee resigned as deputy board member of the Norwegian Sports Confederation in March 2022 over the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.