Olympic champion Samuelsson criticized the admission of Russians to the competition

On December 4, Sebastian Samuelsson, Olympic champion in cross-country skiing from Sweden, commented on the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions.

"We have economic sanctions, we don't trade with Russia, and in many ways society is trying to put an end to the situation, and the fact that sport can somehow be above this seems very strange to me," Samuelsson told SVT Sport.

On December 2, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) confirmed the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowing the participation of Russian athletes and their team in neutral status (AIN) at the qualification competitions and the 2026 Olympic Games.

Clear in white: Russian skiers allowed to participate in international competitions

Under what conditions will our athletes be able to participate in the Olympic selection

Russian Sports Minister and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev said on December 2 that the IOC supports the return of Russian athletes to international competitions. The minister noted that now the federation is obliged to allow Russians to participate in international startups.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.