Three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov, even without victories at international competitions, remains the most popular skier in the country. However, the athlete’s behavior has recently raised questions. At the stage after the finish, he pushed his opponent, for which he received a disqualification. Returning to the ski track, he committed another act that definitely does not suit him.

Alexander missed the victory at the finish line, and after the dramatic finale of the race he simply did not come to the award ceremony. What happened?

“No need to be dramatic”

On Sunday, December 7, in Tyumen, as part of the second stage of the Russian Cup in cross-country skiing, the strongest in the men’s mass start were determined. The best at 20 kilometers in the classical style was Savely Korostelev, who covered the distance in 41 minutes and 3.3 seconds. Alexander Bolshunov, who returned after disqualification, won silver. The gap from the leader was only 0.1 seconds – it was impossible to determine the winner of the duel without the help of a photo finish.

Immediately after the dramatic outcome, Alexander did not look upset. The three-time Olympic champion smiled and casually congratulated his opponent. It seemed that everything was in perfect order – today Bolshunov lost the fight for gold, but calmly accepted the situation and is ready to win in the near future. There was no doubt that the athlete was satisfied and the senior coach of the Russian cross-country skiing team, Yuri Borodavko.

— Alexander has returned. Getting in shape. As they said: no need to dramatize, everything is still ahead. He’s starting to get in shape. So he will still show his best side. Therefore, everything is increasing,” Borodavko told Match TV.

Savely Korostelev and Alexander Bolshunov / Photo: © Russian Ski Federation

“I just flew away earlier”

Later, Alexander addressed the fans on social networks, thanking them for their words of support. But in the comments the skier was immediately asked why he didn’t come to the award ceremony? And indeed, Bolshunov, for some reason, ignored the ceremony.

Since the champion himself did not clarify the situation, all that remained was to sort through the options, including extremely unpleasant ones, such as health problems. Soon the coach answered for Bolshunov and tried to defuse the situation. It didn’t turn out very well, to be honest.

“He’s doing well, he just left earlier on a plane.” “I was on the way to the airport,” Borodavko told Match TV.

The fact that Bolshunov is doing well is certainly wonderful. But, based on Borodavko’s words, it turns out that simply leaving early by plane, giving up on the official ceremony, is the norm in Russian skiing… Or is this the norm only for Alexander himself? It smacks of disrespect, not only for the competitors, but also for the fans, who certainly didn’t mind seeing the legend again after the race.

Cross-country skiing competitions are shown live on TV channels of the Match family, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.