The International Biathlon Union (IBU) does not allow Russians and Belarusians to compete internationally, a decision made after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The IBU has also written into its rules that you cannot compete as a neutral active. This means that Russians and Belarusians will not be able to get a fair trial in CAS and have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics in February.
Sebastian Samuelsson does not believe that the Russians have found any loopholes.
"I think you should see it as an attempt. If you were in a similar situation yourself, you would have used all the means you could," he says.
Within the IBU there is no discussion or debate about this. The congress decision is very clear that we should not have any Russians or Belarusians.
As it stands right now, it is only biathlon as an individual sport that does not allow Russians and Belarusians as neutral participants in the Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
I think it's sad, I would have liked sports as an industry to take greater responsibility and try to keep the Russians away, says Samuelsson.
