Due to the absence of Russian skiers at international competitions, our athletes suffer first of all, Borodavko said.

Senior coach of the Russian cross-country ski team Yuri Borodavko spoke the words of the Olympic champion Veronica Stepanova who said on that she was already seeing how she would perform at the 2026 Olympics.

— I cannot prohibit participation. Another question is whether we will be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games. For some time my optimism has diminished, I just look at the world with my own eyes, see what is happening and make my predictions. I would also be happy to prepare for the Olympic Games, to prepare my athletes. I would really like to go to Milan and fight there. While life shows the other side of the coin, which does not allow us to do it.

Due to the absence of Russian skiers at international competitions, our athletes suffer first of all. First of all, financially. Interest in ski racing disappears, views drop, all of this brings no interest in ski racing. But the new athletes who have just arrived stand on the podium and receive great monetary rewards. They are only happy about it and feel quite comfortable,” Borodavko said, as quoted by Sport24.

In October, International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) board member Erik Röste said the decision to suspend the Russians and Belarusians following an FIS board meeting had been extended for the coming season.

At the end of March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced recommendations for the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions. These include individual admission, neutral status, banning participation in team sports, and banning participation of athletes associated with security forces or who have expressed support for the SVO. Decisions regarding the 2024 Summer Games and the 2026 Winter Olympics have not yet been announced.

Sport24