SOGNEFJELLET (VG) Aleksandr Bolshunov (25) and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (25) have been rivals for several years, but hardly know each other. The Russian hopes to run next winter – something the Norwegian profiles snort at.
Just updated
–
– Now there is no relationship with Klæbo at all. It was practically not before either. We only met before the start (in the race). I will walk past him, and he will walk past me. We will arrange during the race, says Bolshunov according to the Russian news agency Tass.
Klæbo has the same opinion.
– That’s right, says Klæbo when VG reproduces Bolshunov’s quote.
– I’ve never really talked to him, so that’s right.
Bolshunov and Klæbo have been the two biggest stars in cross-country skiing in recent years. But at the end of February, Russia went to war against Ukraine, and the Russians were not allowed to participate in the season finale. What will happen to Russian and Belarusian athletes next winter has not been decided.
– At the moment, the situation is uncertain and incomprehensible, but I hope that by the winter everything will be calm enough, and we will be able to continue to compete in international competitions. When you prove your prestige and level in competitions where all countries participate, then it is something else. This is what I train for, says Bolshunov.
–Several of the Norwegian profiles believe that more is needed than the war in Ukraine to calm down for Russia to get a quiet start.
– It is difficult to say, but right now those attitudes are wrong. It’s okay that you should not mix sports and such, but in Russia it is especially when they are part of the army, Even Northug says.
Bolshunov is, among other things Captain of the National Guard, President Vladimir Putin’s own army.
– On the one hand, it is a terrible pity for cross-country skiing if Russia, with many good athletes, does not participate. It’s not something personal, but it’s something with the signal. It should have some consequences, Northug continues.
– Regardless of whether it calms down?
– Yes, at least I do not want to see any Russian flag or Russian national costume, Northug answers.
Even Northug is Petter Northug’s little brother:
Even Northug thinks the situation is difficult.
– There are some Russian practitioners I talk to, those who know English and who have always been pleasant with me. It feels ugly to say that I do not want to see them on ski runs, says Northug and adds:
– We have previously talked about doping, but it will only be small things in relation to this.
Erik Valnes doubts that the Russians will participate in the World Cup opening in Ruka at the end of November. He points out that Ukrainian skiers do not have the opportunity to participate, and that it will then be wrong for the Russians to be allowed to go.
– You do not know what they mean or stand for, there are probably many who are against what is happening. Then, of course, there is pity in them. But some have made statements that support wars. It looks very ugly. Then you shut yourself out, says Valnes.
–Klæbo stands for what he has said before:
– As long as one country goes to war against another, I believe that they should obviously not be allowed to start in international sports, Klæbo says.
Cross-country manager Espen Bjervig shares the view.
– That war must end. We can not have a warring country against another country on the starting line.
Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget thinks that as of today it is right to exclude Russia, and that quite a lot must be turned around to change it.
– Ideally, the war should be over and there should be an apology from several teams and they should show understanding.
–
