Russian ski stars travel to Crimea in the middle of the war

The Russian cross-country team will hold the first training camp of the spring in Crimea.

Aleksandr Bolshunov and partners start training camp on May 15. In Crimea. KIMMO BRANDT

Alexander Bolshunov, Natalya Nepryaeva, Julia Stupak and partners will travel to the Crimean peninsula in May, even though the war in Ukraine is still ongoing.

Russia already occupied Crimea in 2014.

Head coach of the Russian cross-country team Yuri Borodavko announced Tass: n in an interview that the first training camp of the Russian season will begin on May 15th.

– It is traditionally held in the village of Morskoy in the Crimea, Borodavko says.

Former leader of the Norwegian cross-country team Vidar Löfshus believes that Russia wants to send some kind of message in this way.

“It seems to outsiders that they are doing this to show that everything is normal in Russia,” says Löfhus. I am online in an interview.

Still, Löfhus thinks the solution is special because of the war in Ukraine.

– It sounds really strange, but nothing will surprise me about the Russian leaders, Löfhus continues.

According to the man, Russia is no longer interested in what the West thinks of them.

– They are probably more concerned about their reputation in Russia. There, they have to show that even if there is a so-called “special operation” underway, it will not affect their preparation.

Although Russia is closed to international skiing, the country’s ski population is likely to try to show the people that everything is going on as normal.

– It is probably important for them to show that “we are working tirelessly for the Planica World Cup”.

According to Borodavko, the training program for skiers in the Crimea includes bike training, cross-country running, strength training and various games.

Natalya Nepryeva is leaving like the other ski stars in the Crimea. AOP

According to Yuri Borodavko, the training camp will be held in the Crimea as usual. AOP

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