Hekkstjerna speaks out on the topic ahead of his own event, the Karsten Warholm Invitational, in Ulsteinvik on Wednesday. He does so after news shared that Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen was one of those who advocated the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes during a meeting with the International Olympic Committee. The incident has caused a great debate in Norway, and now Warholm shares his view on the matter. – I think about how Russia uses sport as propaganda, so I think maybe it shouldn’t be like that. With my values, it is clear what should be done, Warholm said at a digital press conference on Wednesday afternoon. When asked what he thinks should be done, he says this: – It is to maintain the situation as it is now. SHARES THE VIEW: Karsten Warholm on the possible return of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news – Unbelievably difficult situation Russians and Belarusians have been banned from athletics since the war in Ukraine started, but recently the International Olympic Committee (IOC) opened up so that Russian and Belarusian athletes can again have access to international sports. The Athlete Committee has been clear that any return of Russian and Belarusian athletes must take place under strict criteria, and that they compete as neutral athletes. Warholm thinks the discussion is difficult, but is clear on one thing: – It is a bit difficult to sit here and make nuances when I have not looked too much into what the conflict is. The most important thing we can do is to stay on course with what we do, said Warholm and added: – It is a fact that sport and politics are a big mix, and it is an unimaginably difficult situation, he says. On Thursday, Warholm will run 400 meters flat in his home town of Ulsteinvik under his own breath, and he is looking forward to it. – It is very nice that it starts on home ground. It will be fantastic to organize the vote here, and I think we have the best edition this year. – Terrible One who also took part in the Karsten Warholm International in Ulsteinvik, is the Ukrainian high jumper Jaroslava Mahutsjykh (21). HORRIFIED: Ukrainian Jaroslava Mahuchsykh shakes her head at the discussion. Photo: ARND WIEGMANN / Reuters She is the reigning indoor world champion and outdoor European champion, and does not want Russians and Belarusians to return to the sport when her country is attacked. – I don’t understand how that is possible. Many lives have been ruined and many have died, says Mahutsjikh to news. – What do you think about the fact that there is now talk of getting them back? – It is terrible. I think it is not right to take them back. But let’s see how it turns out, right now there are only discussions, says the WC silver winner from 2022. You can watch the Karsten Warholm Invitational on news 1 on Thursday 2 February from 8pm. Against the wind There has been a storm around the leader of the Norwegian athletes’ committee , Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, in recent days, in the wake of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) claiming on Wednesday that the majority of athlete representatives wanted Russian and Belarusian athletes back to international sport. It happens after Uhrenholdt Jacobsen said, among other things: “In our view, non-discrimination is inevitable. Our mission is to continue being a unifying force, and that should continue to be our focus. This means that no athlete should be excluded on the basis of their passport” LEADER: Astrid Uhrenholdt is the leader of the Norwegian Athlete Committee. Photo: Terje Pedersen On Saturday, the Norwegian athletes’ committee complained about how they had handled the case, and on Tuesday afternoon the committee called a meeting with Norwegian athletes. Jacobsen then acknowledged that the many opinions surrounding the matter have led to her having to review the work she has done. – When you are the subject of so much gossip, you gradually start to question everything you have done, said Jacobsen.
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