Earlier this week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced that Russian and Belarusian skiers will be allowed to compete internationally again, contrary to what the International Ski Federation (FIS) had previously decided.
I was probably very surprised, I hadn't thought about that at all, says Emma Ribom ahead of this weekend's World Cup competitions in Trondheim.
“Pretty sad”
This week, no Russian skaters will be in attendance. But perhaps a comeback could await next weekend in Davos, for skaters who meet the neutrality requirements, including not having actively supported the war in Ukraine.
The situation in Ukraine has not changed, Ribom says.
I get quite sad when I read about what is happening (in Ukraine). It feels like it has become everyday life for many of us, because it has been going on for so long. That is why I am also a little upset that this decision is coming, because then it is like it has been normalized. I don't think that really feels okay.
Svahn didn't talk.
Teammate Edvin Anger was very surprised when he found out about the decision from Cas.
"I reacted in shock and people wondered if it was true. They thought it was a thing that was over now and it will be the same discussion that always happens when the World Cup approaches," says Anger.
Linn Svahn, who has previously said she might boycott the Olympics if Russians are welcomed, will also compete in Trondheim on Friday. But Svahn was not at the press conference, which the national team justified by wanting to protect her from brain fatigue after last season's concussion.
However, neither Ribom nor Anger has any thoughts of boycotting. The latter instead believes that it would give him more motivation at the starting line.
I have to try to mark by driving away from them instead, says Anger.
Above all, it would have given me more motivation to go out – downright brutal – and fight against the Russians.
