Athletes from the German Ski Association will no longer take part in international competitions in Russia and Ukraine until further notice. The decision was made together with the German Olympic Sports Confederation, he said DSV on Thursday (02/24/2022) with the sports show.
The national ski cross team already in Russia will “fetched back to Germany as soon as possible”. the DSV is “aware of the responsibility towards the athletes as well as the coaches and supervisors,” says Schwarzbach, so each individual case is checked to see whether participation in international competitions is currently sensible and possible without risk. That’s what he stands for DSV with the international world associations FIS and IBUthe German Olympic Sports Confederation and the respective organizing committees in close exchange.
Also with the Foreign Office DSV Contact. “Our top priority is: the DSV does not take any risks and, in case of doubt, always refrains from participating in international events”according to Schwarzbach.
Mayer: “Crazy and Awesome”
Germany’s best ski crosser Daniela Maier, who won Olympic bronze in Beijing, had previously told the Bild newspaper that “it’s really crazy and really awesome” be to start in Russia. “We train here, prepare as normal. But if something happens and the Foreign Office says to us: We’ll get you out now, then a plane will be sent and we’ll come home. I trust my coach and the foreign office Office that they bring all ski crossers of all nations home safely when push comes to shove”, says Maier. The ski crossers flew to Russia directly from the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Cancellation of the World Cup finals for cross-country skiers discussed
DOSB-President Thomas Weikert recommended the member organizations in a joint statement DBS-President Friedhelm Julius Beucher “to suspend participation in competitions and training measures in Russia and the war zones”.
There is also talk of canceling the World Cup final for cross-country skiers from March 18th to 20th, which is to be held in Tyumen, Russia. This will be discussed over the weekend.
Russia started the war
After weeks of threats, Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning. According to news agencies, explosions were heard in the capital Kiev, in the southern port city of Odessa and in other cities in eastern Ukraine. Apparently, Russian troops also attacked from Belarus.