“How quickly things change!” Zhurova on Norway’s willingness to boycott tournaments if Russian skiers are admitted

Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, former skater Svetlana Zhurova described as strange Norway’s intention to boycott international competitions if Russian skiers are admitted.

Previously, Norwegian Ski Association president Tove Mo Dürhaug said Russian skiers must “remain banned” or Norway would not participate in the competition. At the same time, a month ago, some Norwegian athletes, including Johannes Klebo expressed the hope that the Russians would return to the world of skiing.

– Very strange: a month ago, they didn’t want to boycott us! Some of them said they wanted us to participate. I then thought again: “What great comrades the athletes and the federation want the strongest to perform.” I remember they were caught doing doping again, and Russia reacted very calmly to that.

Apparently they pressured them, knocked on the cork. Who stung? The government, the sponsors… We understand that this is above all a political question. This is how things change quickly! I’m sure all this will stop with the end of the special operation. Now we have to train, not paying attention to anything, as if tomorrow was the World Cup, which we will be allowed to attend. We have to prepare for when we will be in world sport again – and with a flag and an anthem, – Zhurova said in an interview with .

At the end of February, the executive committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions because of the situation in Ukraine. The International Ski Federation (FIS) has followed these recommendations. Athletes from both countries have been suspended until the end of the summer season, a decision on the winter season has yet to be made.