Revealed: The Swedish Ski Association and the Swedish Sports Confederation are trying to get the government to deny Russian athletes visas for the World Championships in Falun.

Earlier this autumn, FIS adopted new guidelines for neutral status for athletes from Russia and Belarus. So far, more than 200 athletes from the two countries have been given the green light to compete in international events.

“Since it has been decided, we have to relate to it, but it is not a decision we think is good,” Secretary General Pernilla Bonde of the Swedish Ski Association told SVT.

Also Read – New update: Bolshunov’s return on the horizon

But even if Russian athletes get the green light from FIS, it is the individual nations, at the foreign policy level, that decide whether they can be granted visas to enter the country.

Now the Swedish Ski Association, in cooperation with the Swedish Sports Confederation, will try to prevent Russian athletes from taking part in the World Championships in Falun.

“We have raised the question further with the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet). And perhaps it can be raised with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to look at which countries are allowed to enter the country,” Bonde said.

The Swedish government has not commented on the matter.

Strong reaction: “It’s sad”

Russian cross-country skiers are reacting strongly to the move.

“It is sad when someone tries to mix sport and politics,” said Russian cross-country profile Saveliy Korostelev.

The 22-year-old, who made his World Cup debut last year, finished both fourth and fifth at the Olympics and took a World Cup podium last winter.

Bolshunov heading for a return

Last winter, only two Russian cross-country skiers had their applications for neutral status approved. This year, more than 200 from the two countries have been given the green light so far. And Russian ski president Dmitri Svishchev expects there will be more.

“I believe that many of our very biggest stars will receive approval from FIS very soon,” Svishchev said.

Read More: Former Junior World Champion among the Russians now given the green light by FIS

Norway against

The Norwegian Ski Federation is among those still opposed, but it is abiding by what FIS has decided.

“Our position is still that we do not want Russians and Belarusians in international ski sport, and we still don’t know exactly how it will work in practice in the coming season,” Cathrine Instebø, cross-country manager at the Norwegian Ski Federation, told NTB earlier in October, in connection with the first Russians being cleared.

“We have also understood that there are somewhat divided opinions about this within FIS. In any case, we have to abide by what FIS decides. We can do nothing but wait and see how it turns out this season,” Instebø continued.

See the full updated list of approved athletes HERE.

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