“A tragedy for her – but he was happy”
Russia’s coach sharply criticizes ski star Klæbo
November 8th, 2025 – 1:30 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
He is one of the most successful cross-country skiers. Most recently, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo welcomed a decision by Fis. For this he was now attacked sharply.
A decision that triggers different emotions: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently decided that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete as individual neutral athletes at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo next year. However, the IOC leaves it up to the international federations of the individual sports to decide whether they also use this in their qualifying competitions.
The International Ski Association FIS decided against it. The Russian team does not want to accept this and has lodged an appeal with the International Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). Five-time Olympic champion and cross-country skiing star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, however, welcomed the Fis decision. For this he has now received sharp criticism from the Russian national cross-country skiing coach.
Egor Sorin told the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK about the Fis’ decision: “People cried after this decision.” Referring to Klæbo’s statements, he added: “It was a tragedy for her – but he was happy about it.”
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo previously told NRK: “I believe that this is the right decision. I have long been convinced that the Russians should not be allowed into the country while the war in Ukraine continues. If the war of aggression were to end, that would be a different matter. But in my opinion the FIS made the right decision.”
Russian cross-country skier Saveliy Korostelev commented on the latest developments. He told NRK: “Let’s just say: If we are allowed to compete in the 2026 Olympics, it would be a miracle.” Sorin claims that the Fis allowed themselves to be blackmailed because many stars in the scene spoke out against the Russians’ return.
“If the world association were to allow the Russians, the Olympic Games would be boycotted. In my opinion that is unfair and wrong,” said Egor Sorin.