The fallen Russian athlete made shocking comments about the move.
Olga Zaitseva vows to support Russia’s war efforts. EPA/AOP
An ex-biathlon skier who won Olympic gold twice and was later convicted of doping Olga Zaitseva tells Izvestija– magazine, that he would be ready to go to war in Ukraine if Russia’s partial campaign was expanded to full scale.
During the war, Russia also ordered professional athletes to the front. Zaitseva was asked if he would like top athletes to be protected from business promotion.
– My first thought is to invite everyone. I would be ready to go too. I can shoot. We are obliged to pay back our country. I would not intend to hide, Zaitseva states.
– Of course, those who served in the army must be invited first. But if there is a full motion, we will all go.
Zaitseva does not hide her patriotism. He strongly believes in Russia’s military success and already envisions how Russia will get more athletes under its flag from the occupied parts of Ukraine.
– First, let’s wait for everything to calm down and for people to live in peace. And yes, the number of (Russian) regions has increased, which means the number of Russian athletes has increased.
Zaitseva’s career in biathlon was successful until he was convicted of doping in 2017. He was involved in the Russian ministerial-led doping program and received a lifetime Olympic bracelet from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). All his results during and after 2014 were voided.
The doping cart also had an effect Kaisa Mäkäräinen. The annulment of the results affected the overall situation of the 2013–2014 World Cup and raised Norway Tora Berger’s number one. Berger was crowned champion after the fact last year, but Mäkäräinen got to keep his title.