While the football associations FIFA and UEFA took a stand on Monday against the Russian attack on Ukraine and banned Russian teams at national team and club level from all competitions “until further notice”, the world ski association FIS has not yet been able to bring itself to to deny Russian athletes the right to compete. Much to the annoyance of two major Norwegian sponsors.
The Norwegian retail chain Coop, which is one of the most important sponsors in cross-country skiing, reacted with great regret to the FIS decision to allow Russia’s athletes to compete in the upcoming cross-country skiing competitions in Norway’s Drammen and Oslo. However, the retail chain has come up with a special trick to turn things around.
At the races in Norway, the start numbers of the athletes should be emblazoned on the Ukrainian national colors. This also applies to the Russian athletes around top star Aleksandr Bolshunov.
“We have to do our utmost. […] We hope that’s enough to keep the Russians from starting unless the FIS excludes them after all,” said Björn Takle Friis, Coop Norway’s Communications Director.VG” quoted. In addition, one strives to store the donation number of the Red Cross everywhere.
FIS decision “cowardly” and “weak”
“We have submitted clear guidelines to the FIS about what we think is necessary. They must react immediately. Because of the sympathy and solidarity with Ukraine, one cannot accept that the Russian team starts in the World Cup,” Friis continued .
Coop receives support from Obos, another major sponsor from Norway. “We believe that the Russian athletes will not participate under the given circumstances. We will also make our support for Ukraine known during the events,” said Thomas Skjennald of Obos “VG” via SMS.
The Norwegian Ski Association also made it very clear that it wanted the Russians to be excluded.
Norway’s superstar Johannes Hösflot Kläbo meanwhile described the decision of the FIS as “cowardly” and “weak”, but also emphasized that the opponents from Russia should still be treated “with respect”. However, he hopes that they will refrain from doing so themselves.