The Russian cross-country skier completely lost it in the weekend’s sprint, hitting a rival so hard that the competitor couldn’t start on Sunday. Now he is receiving a warning from the highest level.

There is turmoil surrounding the 2022 Olympic star after the 28-year-old lost his temper during a sprint race in the Russian Cup on Saturday.

In the finish area after the sprint, Alexander Bolshunov attacked his rival Aleksandr Bakurov from behind. Bolshunov drove his elbow into the 22-year-old’s back with enough force that the rival had to withdraw from Sunday’s race.

The incident is said to have been triggered by Bakurov making contact with Bolshunov in the semifinal. But Bolshunov is not offering an apology.

“I want it to be a fair competition from start to finish,” Bolshunov told Russian Sport-Express.

“I got angry because Bakurov came up on my skis again in the final corner, and I fell because of it,” he continued.

Criticism pouring in, a crisis meeting was called

Criticism is pouring in against the former Olympic star. He was also disqualified from Saturday’s sprint, but further sanctions may be coming.

According to Russian Ski President Jelena Välbe, an extraordinary meeting regarding the incident has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, within the Russian Ski Association.

Now he is receiving a warning from the top.

“If I were Bolshunov, I would admit the mistake and apologize to Bakurov,” said Sergei Kryanin, a member of the leadership of the Russian Ski Association.

Long history of clashes

This is far from the first time Bolshunov has lashed out at rivals, both on and off the course. It does not always end in his favor. During a sprint in the Russian Cup last winter, Bolshunov was knocked unconscious by rival Sergey Ustiugov.

Several of the Norwegian national team skiers have also been on the receiving end of the Russians’ temper before they were banned from international competitions in spring 2022.

Ustiugov has had run-ins with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, including in the semifinal of the sprint at the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld. The Russian pushed the Norwegian and made contact with his face twice, all captured on TV cameras.

Many also remember the World Cup relay in 2021, when Bolshunov struck Finland’s Joni Mäki after the finish line after the Finn beat him.

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