In an interview with SVT the other day, Alexandersson was asked how she viewed the fact that certain Russian and Belarusian athletes had been welcomed back into alpine skiing, one of the sports in which the Swede herself competes.
A person being born and raised in Russia does not necessarily make them a bad person and that one should not ban them from all sports, Alexandersson said, among other things.
"Ripped out of context"
The 32-year-old orienteering star, however, thinks that several articles have been angled too harshly and specifically criticizes SVT and TT.
"What has been published has been ripped out of context in a way that does not reflect my opinions. I strongly and unequivocally condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Russian regime. My sympathy and solidarity lie with the Ukrainian people", writes Tove Alexandersson.
She continues to write that in the interview, she tried to convey that she does not judge anyone based on where they come from. She does not see a problem with Russian athletes who have distanced themselves from Russia's invasion of Ukraine continuing to compete, but "of course, under the condition that they follow the rules set by international and national sports federations".
Does not support Russian Olympic participation
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided ahead of the summer Olympic Games in Paris last year to allow certain Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, provided they had no connection to the Russian war machine.
Tove Alexandersson does not support allowing Russia to participate in the Olympic Games again, with the winter games in Milano and Cortina 2026 next in line. Alpine skiing will make its debut on the program there.
"I do not support Russian participation in the Olympic Games. It is part of a larger context and a sensitive sports and geopolitical issue".
