Ten out of ten members of the Finnish national ski team interviewed by Iltalehti oppose the return of Russian skiers.
Russian athletes must stay out of international skiing competitions as long as Vladimir Putin the war of aggression in Ukraine continues, announces the Finnish national skiing team unanimously.
– The situation is self-evident. Let’s continue where we left off last season. When the situation at the border is like that, there is no need to make changes, he says Iivo Niskanen.
– We have to fight on the sports front in the same way as in the rest of the world. Russians are not allowed to compete, he states Krista Pärmäkoski.
Iltalehti interviewed nine national team skiers and the head coach for this story Teemu from Pasa.
Some actually got heated when there were talks about the end of the ice age.
– Russians should be outside. This is a pointless discussion. In Russia, sport is a really big thing in the promotion of the country, and when it comes to this country, then absolutely not. It is a big loss for them when sports are missing, commented Johanna Matintalo.
– Isn’t that clear? Although it is a big ski area, no, Joni Mäki says.
Border guard Markus Vuorela took a stand on the matter as a skier.
– There is no need to think about such a thing as long as a state is at war with another state – no matter which state it is.
Roaring
Russian skiers were thrown out of the international competitions last season during the end of season World Cups in Norway. EPA / AOP
Secretary General of the International Ski Federation FIS Michel Vion said at the end of September that the Russians and Belarusians could possibly return to the Games as early as 2022. Later, he would correct his comments, but observant people saw behind the bluster: FIS needs Russian sponsor money and star skiers.
– The first thought about Vion’s comments was crazy. I hope that everyone will see what is important for us sports people: Ukrainian athletes are at the front, so it should clear everyone’s mind at the latest. Ukrainians don’t think about whether they will be able to compete – they are engaged in other activities, says Matintalo.
Anne Kyllönen admits that the absence of the Russians weakens the level.
– The matter is not clear-cut. You can’t just say what is right and wrong. As an athlete, you hope that the best are on the line when you compete. But war is such a global issue that it cannot be accepted under any circumstances, Kyllönen commented.
Skiers from a few countries have hinted at a boycott if the Russians or Belarusians who support their war efforts are allowed to participate in the World Cup.
According to head coach Pasanen, the boycott issue has not been discussed in the Finnish team.
– It is clear that in this situation the Russians cannot be allowed in, Pasanen announces.
Arsi Ruuskanen, Ville Ahonen and Jasmi Joensuu were also interviewed for the story.
The Norwegians painted the truck of the Russian national skiing team with Ukraine-themed material last March. EPA / AOP