The German glove brand Kinetixx stopped the agreements with the Russians when Vladimir Putin went to war against Ukraine. Marketing manager Helmut Hanus is shocked that Aleksandr Bolshunov lined up for the celebration of the Crimean annexation.
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– It was crazy and idiotic. I have no words. He has proven to be a supporter of Putin, and that is completely unacceptable. We completely distance ourselves from that, says Hanus, marketing manager for winter sports at Kinetixx.
Kinetixx had an agreement with the Russian Ski Federation for cross-country skiers and combined skiers, and a couple of biathletes. The agreement was terminated a few days after the war started. The same applies to the agreements the brand had with Belarusians.
Hanus reacts strongly to the statements of several Russian athletes. In particular, he shakes his head at the cross-country profile Bolshunov, who among several sports stars competed in the anniversary marking of the annexation of Crimean peninsula. Russian media have reported by 95,000 spectators were in place at the stadium and 100,000 outside.
– Bolshunov and others have supported Putin. Seeing them in the stadium during the propaganda show was completely impossible to accept. It is terribly sad to see, says Hanus.
1 of 3Photo: KIMMO BRANDT / EPA
Previously, Bolshunov has been fronted as one of Kinetixx’s biggest stars, like the Norwegian biathlon heroes Johannes Thingnes Bø and Marte Olsbu Røiseland. But Bolshunov and the other Russians have now been removed from the website on the list of the brand’s practitioners.
– Will you be able to cooperate with Bolshunov or other Russian practitioners again in the future?
– No I do not think so. Putin’s support for what he is doing is not good. We have stopped everything and I can not see any change in that, Hanus answers.
– Have you had any contact with Russians?
– No. We completely distance ourselves from what they do, Hanus answers.
He says Kinetixx has helped collect food and clothing for the Ukrainians.
On Wednesday, Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson distanced himself from the fact that Bolshunov was in place before Putin’s speech last week.
– I do not understand how they think. One wonders if they have been tricked or forced to do so, or do they not know what is actually happening? It is very strange, says Halfvarsson to Aftonbladet.
In the Russian media, which is controlled by the state, is the word war banned. It is referred to as a special operation, and social media is largely banned.
Bolshunov has not commented on the war itself, but has said he is upset over the fact that the Russians were not allowed to go the last races in the World Cup and the treatment they received in Norway before the trip to Russia. The Olympic king is captain of Putin’s own armythe National Guard.
– We are upset, very upset. We were thrown out by the Norwegians. It’s extra insulting. We are their biggest rivals, and we did not like to be treated like that. But now we are back in Russia, where we have many fans and a lot of support, Bolshunov said last week.
Norwegian profiles such as Therese Johaug and Johannes Høsflot Klæboas well as the Confederation, made it clear that they did not want the Russians to start.
Also the rod and lubrication supplier Swix stopped the collaboration with the Russians right after the war started. The ski brand Rossignol has suspended the agreement with Bolshunov and Russians.
Earlier in March, Bolshunov posted a photo on Instagram with a retro suit and “CCCP 1980” in the caption. CCCP is the abbreviation for what was once the Soviet Union, of which Ukraine was a part. It provoked strong reactions. Eventually got Rossignol Bolshunov to delete the post.
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