OI champion Valnes said he was offended by Bolshunov's participation in the race in Italy

Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Norwegian Erik Valnes did not agree with the admission of Russian Alexander Bolshunov to the race Sudtirol Moonlight in Italy. This was reported on February 13 by the Norwegian channel TV2.

The athlete reproached the organizers of the race for setting their own rules.

"Bolshunov is listed in the results protocols, the race is widely known. It's a bit of a shame. That's not how it should work," Valnes told the channel.

Three-time Olympic champion Bolshunov will compete in the 30-kilometer race on Thursday, February 13, with the Russian flag listed on the start list next to the skier's name. The race is not on the calendar of the international federation (FIS), which suspended the Russians in 2022.

The race's organizing committee said earlier that it distances itself from any political polemics, and sport should be a space of justice, respect and international understanding.

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Earlier, on February 2, Russian skiers failed to reach the Tour de Ski sprint final. Russians Ivan Yakimushkin, Artem Maltsev and Ilya Semikov were eliminated in the quarterfinals, Alexander Bolshunov, Alexander Terentyev and Gleb Retivykh - in the semifinals of the ski race in Oberstdorf, Germany.