“None of the resorts are affected by the conflict,” the FIS ski federation argued on Thursday why there is nothing to stop the race in the Urals. It was a few hours after the Russian Federation troops started the war in Ukraine. And the International Ski Federation had planned, among other things, the finals of the World Cup in cross-country skiing in Tyumen.
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It wasn’t until Friday, long after the racers’ collective boycott, that it was decided that it wasn’t really a good idea to fight for the crystal globes in Siberia now, and the races were canceled. Instead of strong steps and signals that even the sports world does not intend to passively watch the Russian aggression, often only diplomatic loops come and the effort is mainly not to throw it at anyone. It is far from just the FIS, but also the management of Formula 1 “is monitoring the situation in Ukraine and waiting for further development”.
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Although the punishment of Russian athletes themselves by banning them from competing is at least controversial and differing, there is a consensus that Russia should not hold sports events and promote its centers and sponsors through them, there is a consensus in international sports waters. Before concrete actions…
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After all, when Russia was deprived of the right to hold top events due to its state-covered doping affairs, many federations were looking for a way to keep them in the country. Whether due to political or economic ties. An example is the former head of hockey, René Fasel, who advocated that Russia would remain hosting the World Cup for next year.
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And so, when there are no hundred officials, the athletes themselves demonstrated their ability to act. The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has already announced that he will simply not run the Russian Grand Prix, he will be happy to score points and prizes.
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Skiers, accustomed to fierce battles on the track, met again at the meeting of the team chiefs and decided collectively: We will not enter the races. And so the qualification turned into a bizarre Russian championship and a few participants, over 70 foreign competitors did not start, after which the races were canceled.
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Of course, athletes do not have to deal with as many consequences as officials in the form of impending financial losses, but they also cost them a good deal of bravery. The skiers are at the hotel a few hours away from Chelyabinsk Airport, they have to rely on the organizers to take them away and hope that flights to their home countries will not be canceled.
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We can only believe that with their determination and fearlessness, athletes have infected officials who will no longer just wait for development, but will also send a clear signal that in the current circumstances, sports competitions will not be a platform to present the Russian regime…
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