Russian skiing boss Jelena Välbe does not warm to the idea of the Russians competing as neutrals again.
The leader of the Russian national skiing team Jelena Välbe again gave comments supporting the administration of his country, the Russian of R-Sport in the interview. Vladimir Putin the skiing boss, who described himself as a sworn supporter, was asked his opinion on the return of Russian athletes to international competition fields.
For example, the international skiing federation Fis is considering taking back Russian skiers in May. As a candidate, we are thinking about a familiar way, i.e. competing in neutral colors. In addition, a written or oral statement may be required from the Russian athlete, in which the Russian athlete says that he opposes the war started by Putin.
Välbe does not accept the terms well. Patience for playing sports without badges has run out.
– I don’t give any of our athletes that option. Neutral status is not a satisfactory solution for us.
Jelena Välbe wants to bring the Russian emblems back to the skiing competitions and the Olympics. Pasi stove country
The battle in Ukraine has been described in Russia as a special operation. Välbe also uses that term.
– We have to side with the president. We are not at war with Ukraine. No one has invaded there.
According to the skiing boss, Russia is fighting in Ukraine to protect Russians from the terrorist crusader state and also to save Ukrainians in need. That’s why he doesn’t understand why Russian athletes were banned from international competitions in the first place.
– It’s a bad thing that our athletes don’t compete or go to the Olympics. People risk their lives so that we could live in peace and in a developing country.
The return of Russian athletes to sports seems inevitable. In mid-March, the International Fencing Federation FIE was broken and will allow the Russians and Belarusians to compete in April. At the same time, the gate to the 2024 Paralympics qualifiers opened for the representatives of both countries.