The reaction of the Russians was expected.
Mihail Degtyarjov plans to challenge Fisi’s decision. EPA / AOP
Russia plans to appeal the decision of the international skiing federation FISI to exclude Russian athletes from next year’s Winter Olympics.
Fis announced yesterday that it will continue the policy that excludes athletes representing Russia and Belarus from international competitions under it. In Russia, the decision was met with dismay.
Acting as Russian Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyaryev told the Russian Sport Express that the country will file an official complaint against Fis’ actions.
– In our opinion, such a decision is completely unacceptable and completely against the Olympic spirit. The board of the Russian Ministry of Sports, the Russian Olympic Committee and several ski sports federations are preparing a complaint, which is going to be submitted to the FIS committee, says Degtyarjov.
The decision has been criticized in Russia right up to the highest levels of the state.
The importance of sports in Russian propaganda is significant. In the previous Winter Games in Beijing 2022, Russian athletes were allowed to participate in the Games, but instead of “Russia” they represented the “Russian Olympic Committee”. This meant that the Russian flag could not be seen in the competition uniforms, graphics or award ceremonies or the Russian national anthem could be heard.