Emil Iversen is saying something few expected to hear after the CAS ruling that has shaken the world of cross-country skiing.

Following Tuesday’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision siding with the Russian athletes and their Ski Association in their appeal against the suspension imposed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), many have expressed disappointment.

Also Read – Confirmed: Russia allowed to participate in the Olympics

Emil Iversen, who is now set to race both distance events at this weekend’s World Cup in Trondheim, believes the situation will be strange but interesting. The 34-year-old is old enough to have competed against Russians for a decade before they were suspended in the spring of 2022.

“For the sport, it’s clearly more exciting to have the Russians on the start line than not to have them at all, so that’s a plus in all the misery,” he told TV 2 on Wednesday.

At the same time, Iversen is crystal clear that the political backdrop should have been entirely different.

“The war isn’t over, so everyone understands where people stand on that. But when decisions are made far above the athletes’ heads, then it’s more fun to have them in the races. But preferably there should have been peace first,” he says.

Read More: Norwegian national team for the Trondheim World Cup

Hopes they will be treated well

Iversen met several Russian skiers during a high-altitude camp in Livigno with Klæbo earlier this autumn, but not in competition. Now he hopes that everyone will treat those who receive approval with respect.

“It will mostly just feel unusual. But I did train with a few Russians in Livigno, and it was nice to see them again, even though it’s been a difficult situation. So, if they’re allowed to race, there’s nothing we can do. Then they are welcome,” Iversen says.

Read More: These Russians may be ready for the World Cup

Doesn’t rule out Trondheim: Approvals could be fast

Trondheim mayor Kent Ranum has said he does not want Russians in Granåsen during this weekend’s World Cup. But if athletes are approved as neutrals, Trondheim should not be able to prevent their participation.

Most people – both leaders and athletes – say they believe the World Cup in Trondheim comes too soon for any neutral-status approvals to be processed in time. The criteria are strict, and a panel of three people must carefully evaluate each application. The Davos World Cup, December 12–14, is considered more realistic.

However, an internal FIS memo to national ski federations states that FIS can grant neutral status within just a few days.

Russian national team coach Egor Sorin told Ria Novosti that they had submitted applications even before the CAS ruling, to be ahead of the process. FIS confirms it has received applications.

Norway generally has an entry ban on Russians. However, visas may still be granted, for example, to professional athletes and support staff, according to Håvard Sæthre of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), speaking to NRK.

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