“Risk of Humiliation”
A lot of pressure and trouble for Russian biathletes
02/27/2022, 10:05 am
The biathlon world association only wants Russian athletes to start under a neutral flag. This decision caused outrage in the Russian camp – and consequences: No Russians will start at the upcoming World Cups.
The Russian biathlon association RBU has sharply criticized a decision by the world association IBU, according to which athletes from Russia and Belarus are only allowed to compete under a neutral flag at the last three World Cups this winter. The RBU considers the move “illegal, unreasonable and categorically unacceptable,” it said in a statement on its own website on Saturday night.
“In order not to expose the Russian athletes to the risk of humiliation” and to ensure their safety, they have now decided not to compete in the upcoming World Cups or in the second-rate IBU Cup. The RBU did not violate any official rules, the statement said: “This is direct discrimination against our country and Russian athletes.” They are “outraged at this illegal action by the IBU” and will “defend their rights in court”.
Ukrainians don’t compete
Earlier on Saturday, the IMU announced sanctions against Russian and Belarusian ski hunters in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Accordingly, neither the Russian nor the Belarusian flag may be displayed at the competition venues until further notice. Team attire must remain neutral without the national colors, national symbols are prohibited. The anthems are not played either, and neutral athletes can no longer collect World Cup points for the national ranking.
The biathletes from the Ukraine had already announced on Friday that they would no longer compete in the World Cups in Kontiolahti in Finland, Otepää in Estonia and in Norway’s capital Oslo until mid-March. The IBU announced that it would like to support the team financially, logistically and technically if they return in the future. The Estonian government had already announced that the Russian and Belarusian teams would not start in Otepää as they are not allowed to enter the country.
Former World Champion Dmytro Pidruchnji made an urgent appeal to the international biathlon community for help for his Ukrainian homeland. “Don’t tell me sport and politics aren’t related. They are related if soldiers and civilians are dying in my home country as you read this,” the 30-year-old wrote. “I beg you to help us! I beg you, don’t stay away!”
At the same time, Pidrushnyi also called on international friends and fans to take to the streets in their hometowns and to ask governments and NATO for help. “No one will compete further,” he wrote, explaining, “My team and I remain in Ukraine to protect our homes and families from Russian forces that invaded Ukraine on February 24.”
Norwegians want ‘no Russian involvement’
Norway’s National Olympic Committee had previously campaigned for the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from all international sporting events. An exclusion of the athletes from Russia and Belarus outside their home countries is “the clear opinion” of the association. In addition, Russian and Belarusian officials in international associations would have to be suspended from their offices.
In the next step, in addition to the 55 national federations and international sports organizations, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee are to be encouraged to “take the same point of view”. If the Norwegians have their way, no Russians should be allowed to compete in the upcoming Winter World Cups in Norway in the coming weeks.
“We have made it clear that we do not want Russia to be involved. We will inform the Fis and then wait for feedback on it,” said Erik Röste, President of the Norwegian Ski Association, to the newspaper “Verdens Gang”. The talks with the World Ski Association Fis are about upcoming events in cross-country skiing, ski jumping and alpine skiing. In addition, the World Cup finals for biathletes in Oslo are planned for March.