Silver medalist at the 2010 Winter Olympics Alexander Panjinsky told that international ski competitions are rapidly losing popularity and becoming uninteresting.
Previously, the International Ski Federation (FIS) published a report on the broadcast of the competition. In accordance with this, the ski audience decreased by 242 million viewers (26%), and views reached a historically low level over the last 6 years.
– After Russia’s withdrawal from international competitions, interest in biathlon and cross-country skiing plummeted worldwide and television ratings plummeted. What can you say?
– Indeed, it is. The FIS takes unpopular and short-sighted measures. It is clear that cross-country skiing is not the number one sport for them, but it is still one of the important sports. They took a wait-and-see attitude, making no decisions and simply extending the suspension time and time again. No option for the return of Russian athletes is offered. Let’s see what happens in the fall. Given that in the spring, five days before the meeting of the FIS Executive Committee, of which I am a member, they did not let our delegation in and decided to agree among themselves, so far they are slowing down All. It is seen that Klebo is no longer interested in competing with the Norwegians, with whom he can compete in the national starts. In general, if there are no Klebos and there are no more Russians, men’s cross-country skiing will definitely continue to die. In women’s competition, there are always several countries and athletes. Without Nepryaeva and the rest of our athletes, the ratings will continue to drop. Maybe this will make FIS leaders and major sponsors think about the return of our athletes,” Panzhinsky told .
At the end of February 2022, the IOC suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international competitions.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
