– It was insane. And especially the messages from Norwegians, I was shocked by what they wrote and how they thought, he told news. German Cramer worked as a Russian national team coach for several years, and during his time as a coach experienced success with athletes such as Sergei Ustyugov and Aleksandr Bolshunov. When Russia attacked Ukraine, it was impossible for the successful coach to keep up the job he had had since 2015. The coach said that during this time he started receiving many hate messages, also from Norway, because he worked for the Russian team. – I do not know those who send the messages, but they knew who I was. They wrote proper bullshit messages, such as: “we hate you because you work for the Russian team”, and the like. – I was really shocked about this. I do not understand. I work for the sport, not for the Russian army or Putin. I work for the practitioners. In the beginning, it was really difficult to understand what happened, he said. Cramer with one of his stars on the Russian team, Sergei Ustyugov. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB – I was really shocked and sad – When did you get these messages? – Only in the beginning. When it was decided that I was done with the Russian team, it suddenly stopped. But especially in the beginning, there were really ugly messages. I can not show them to my wife, says the coach. Markus Cramer also said that he was shocked by the reception the Russian team received in Norway and Holmenkollen in March. Then the lubrication trailer for the Russians, which was parked in Holmenkollen, was tagged down with Ukrainian flags and slogans. The Russians finally chose to go home after the Ski Association stated that they did not want Russians in the World Cup race in Norway. – I was really shocked and sad about what happened. They are practitioners, not soldiers. And all that was written in the news. It was a big shock when I saw what had happened. I also know that the practitioners got a lot of shit comments. It’s not something we need in sports, says Cramer, who was in Germany when this happened. Atle Grønn is Professor of Russian at the University of Oslo. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB – All sensible people distance themselves Atle Grønn is a professor of Russian at the University of Oslo and known to many as a chess expert. He also knows the conditions in Russia very well. – I have also received hate messages because I comment on Russia. It is unfortunately part of the modern internet culture. It’s bad, but I think it’s even worse to be a Ukrainian and be physically attacked, says Grønn. He believes Cramer has a special responsibility as a foreigner in Russia to distance himself from the war. – These things with Russia are difficult, but a person like Cramer has a greater responsibility, and one should demand more from him. He came from outside as a German, and if he can not stand for his opinions, then he should not take the job and go to Russia. One must be able to make demands on him. – It is more complicated with what we can demand of Russian athletes, artists and such persons. It is a more difficult topic. But with Cramer and myself, who have a professional work related to Russia, I mean that we have a duty to speak out in a situation where Russia goes to war against a neighboring country, says Grønn. Ski president of Russia, Jelena Välbe together with Markus Cramer. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – Must be allowed to compete Markus Cramer says on the other hand that he is upset that Russian cross-country skiers are now excluded from international competitions due to the war in Ukraine. – My opinion is that they must be allowed to compete. Sports and politics must be separated, but as one has seen many, many times before, it does not work that way. It is also difficult to understand that in other sports, such as tennis, one can participate, while one can not in other sports, he says, and adds: – I am also against the war in Ukraine. But practitioners in Russia are not involved in the war. I hope they get to participate this winter, because without Russian performers, it will be a “one nation show”. It is not good for the sport, says Cramer.
ttn-69
Former Russia coach Markus Cramer shocked by “shit messages” from Norway – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
