FIS took the decision on Tuesday not to let Russian and Belarusian cross-country skiers compete in the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. According to the Russian newspaper Sport-Express, the Russian ski association is considering going to court.
"This decision continues the discriminatory policy towards our athletes, which contradicts the fundamental principle of political neutrality that is anchored in the FIS statutes. We will actively continue to use all available means to ensure that athletes are not punished for political reasons beyond their control, including by taking legal action", the association writes on its website according to the newspaper.
Veronika Stepanova, who was part of the Russian women's Olympic gold team in the relay in 2022, writes in a message to SVT:
”It's very simple: Vladimir Putin is my president, and my country is always right. If that's the reason why some questionable, nameless characters don't allow me to compete internationally... Well, then it's a price I'm willing to pay”.
