Because of Russia attitude
Biathlon star Samuelsson received death threats
21.06.2025 – 9:53 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Sebastian Samuelsson is one of the best biathletes. The Swede also always says what moves him. That has consequences.
Biathlon star Sebastian Samuelsson is known for his open words and a strong attitude. The Swede is also athletes. In this function, but also in general, he repeatedly said that Russian athletes are currently not allowed to participate in biathlon competitions-and advocated this. He received unsightly news, as he told in a documentation of the Swedish TV station Sverige Television (SVT).
The broadcaster filmed and accompanied Samuelsson recently to map his way to the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo next year. In this context, the Swede said that he received death threats: “If there is a list of death in Russia, there are certainly quite a few people up than me.”
Despite the news, however, he finds it important to represent his point of view. “In questions that are important for our sport, it is important that someone takes responsibility and says what in my opinion many think,” said Samuelsson.
It is not yet clear whether Russian athletes can take part in the 2026 winter games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has not yet committed itself. 15 Russian athletes took part in the summer games last year in Paris under a neutral flag.
The Ukrainian, who was still fighting for his country on the front in 2022 and divided this on Instagram at the time, convinced in the World Cup at the beginning of the year and then explained to the Norwegian public radio broadcaster NRK: “I lack the words.” He also added: “It is so important that the boys say that they want to hold up the flag with me. I would like to thank you and all of Norway for your support.”