The International Ski Federation suspended Russia from competitions under its auspices six months ago, but recently the head of the organization, Michel Vion, again spoke about the potential admission of our athletes. True, this idea did not meet with great enthusiasm in the West, especially among the Scandinavian countries.

Soon FIS faced not only reputational but also financial risks. To blackmail the federation undertook … the main sponsor of the ski races.

Surely they can’t refuse money?

Immediate reaction of the federations

It seems that for the Scandinavian sports federations and the media there is no topic more important than the ban of athletes from Russia. As soon as FIS Secretary General Michel Vion confirmed talks with the IOC on the potential return of the Russians to competition, the Nordic countries were immediately excited.

Member of the Board of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Secretary General of the 2023 World Championship in Tampere Heikki Hietanen said that Russia will not play in the tournament under any circumstances:

– Previously declared teams will play in the tournament. Others have nothing to do with games. The decisions of the International Ice Hockey Federation are accepted, and there is no reason to change them. The lower divisions are also filled, there are no extra places. Time will tell when a situation may arise in the world in which these two countries can be involved, the Finn said in relation to Russia and Belarus.

Photo: © FHR

Actually, the Finnish Ski Federation also did not remain silent and immediately outlined its position not only in relation to the upcoming season, but also in the context of the next Olympic cycle:

– The position of the Finnish Ski Federation regarding the permission of Russian athletes to return to the Games is a categorical “no”. Sports cannot be treated as a separate part of society, said Markku Haapasalmi, chairman of the Finnish Ski Federation.

In addition to the above, the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands have also called for the removal of Russian athletes from international competitions.

Blackmail sponsors

Of course, one should not expect any other rhetoric from the Scandinavians. In winter sports, Russia is one of the main competitors for these countries. In addition, the political aspect is now coming to the fore, as the same Finns openly declare, so now they are not worried about healthy competition and the fate of athletes.

Moreover, the Norwegians continue to blackmail the FIS, using financial leverage. It is no secret that the main sponsor of the organization is the retailer Coop, a Norwegian cooperative company with over 100 years of history. And, of course, they also adhere to the position of their compatriots:

We expect the FIS to refute as soon as possible that this [допуск российских лыжников — прим. SB] may happen. We almost do not believe that Vion’s statements are true. We spoke with FIS and voiced our point of view. It is completely irrelevant to accept this, and if we are not heard, it will mean that we cannot continue sponsorship, – said the director of communications Soor Bjorn Takle Friis.

Photo: © Federico Modica / NordicFocus / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

We encountered similar blackmail when Western equipment manufacturers broke off cooperation with our skiers. However, this did not affect the quality of training for Bolshunov and other athletes: they have sufficient stocks of equipment, and it is not difficult to find analogues if desired.

But for an international federation, the loss of sponsorship money is something that scares as much as the statements of national ski organizations. The Norwegians, who know a lot about manipulation, understand this and expect Vion and his colleagues to change their mind. Another round of pressure on the FIS is gaining momentum. Last time, unfortunately, it ended with the ban of the Russians.