The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has granted Russia and Belarus the right to compete again after being suspended since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On Wednesday, three Russians and six Belarusians received the go-ahead from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), including cross-country skiers Saveliy Korostelyov and Darya Neprjaeva.
They will now compete in this weekend's World Cup competitions in Davos.
Even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country's Olympic Committee was suspended as a result of the doping scandal in connection with the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
“Feeling unsafe”
"You can definitely become suspicious. Given their background and history. Even if the Russians were any good, you would become suspicious," says Swedish long distance star Edvin Anger.
Statistics shared by Fis to SVT show that 136 doping tests were conducted on Russian cross-country skiers from May to November this year.
It's very little! Very, very little, says doctor Åke Andrén-Sandberg, former chairman of Antidoping Sweden, to SVT.
Edvin Anger also reacts to the figure.
It feels uncertain. It sounds very small. But that talk has been around the Russians for years.
Anger is tight-lipped about the fact that some Russian skaters are now being welcomed back.
"There's nothing we can do about it. The decision has been made. We just have to like the situation, it feels special," he says.
“Against it”
However, the Swede does not appreciate the fact that Russian skaters can now also compete in the Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
No. I think we have been clear that we are against it, he says.
At the same time, Russian participation can provide a little extra power, according to the Swede.
An extra boost. You'll want to beat them hard. Rumor has it that he (Korosteljov) is very strong. You want to beat him.
What Anger wants to see in the future is crystal clear.
"Not war. It's not any harder than that," says Anger.
