– The Russian Biathlon Union is obviously against any form of violence, and is for peace. This is how the letter from the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) begins, to which news has been given exclusive access. In the letter, which the International Biathlon Union (IBU) is the recipient of, the Russians plead to compete again in international IBU competitions. They write that they are against violence and urgently ask to be reinstated in the international association. – The IBU constitution is ready. Each IBU member must “declare his opposition to any unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, national or social origin, sex, sexual orientation, language, political or other opinion, religion or other belief, circumstances of birth or other grounds.” “Any decision that suspends the RBU or its affiliated athletes simply because of their nationality clearly goes against this core principle of our organization,” the letter, signed by the federation’s president Viktor Majgurov, continues. WENT TO PARTICIPATE: Russia was banned from international sports earlier this year, and had to participate with a neutral team under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee and with the name ROC. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Points to six points After the invasion of Ukraine, the IBU was one of many international federations that banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and managers. In the letter, the RBU reminds that the decision in the congress can be changed in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if they do not gain traction. In the letter, they point with six points as a response to the IBU: The participation of the RBU and Russian athletes does not result in any threat to the integrity or security of the IBU’s activities or competitions. RBU is not responsible for the situation in Ukraine. The RBU does not violate the IBU’s laws and promotes the IBU’s values. The RBU does not bring the IBU or the sport of biathlon into disrepute. Ukrainian athletes can compete. A suspension of the RBU would be disproportionate. Among other things, they argue as follows for the fifth point that “Ukrainian athletes can compete”: – A ban on athletes from the RBU or its affiliated athletes is simply unfair and is not appropriate to remedy the difficult situation Ukrainian athletes may be in New assessment The matter will be dealt with on Friday during the IBU Congress, which started on Thursday this week in Salzburg, Austria. There, Russian and Belarusian participation in competitions next season is on the agenda. The board of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) wants to extend the ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus. CLEAR: Swedish Olle Dahlin has been clear in his case to continue the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and leaders. Photo: STEFAN ADELSBERGER / AFP – If everything goes the board’s way, then in principle there will be no change, says IBU president Olle Dahlin to TT, according to NTB. The decision on the ban has been valid until the congress this week. Now the topic is up for reassessment. – This decision will apply to the next congress again. Russia and Belarus can speak via link as they have not been invited to the congress, and then it is up to the member nations and the IBU board, says Dahlin further. The Swedish biathlete Sebastian Samuelsson is among those who support a further ban. – Today I cannot see how we can wish them back in the World Cup, says Samuelsson to SVT, reports NTB. Russia has the right to speak in the case and will present its case via video link. news has received confirmation from the IBU that they will speak.
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RBU with desperate letter to IBU about Russian ban – claim they are not breaking any rules – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
