– I have respect for the opinions of Fourcade and he has probably made up his mind about something that builds up to that reasoning. I don’t agree with that, says Johannes Thingnes Bø, shortly after winning the WC sprint. The reactions are as expected by many after Martin Fourcade said in an exclusive news interview that he wants to see Russian and Belarusian athletes back on the slopes. SKIING LEGEND: Martin Fourcade met news in Oberhof on Saturday. Photo: Henrik Myhr Nielsen / news The Frenchman believed that they should not be discriminated against on the basis of passports. He advocated that Russian and Belarusian athletes are primarily athletes. – I understand the discussion about not mixing sports and politics, but I think it is difficult when the Russians form such close ties between sports and the military. Large parts of the field are paid by the military. It is only us in the Nordics who do not get paid for being employed by customs, the police or the military, says Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen to news. He highlights the statements of former biathlete Olga Zajtseva, who believed that biathletes should be sent to the front because of their shooting skills. – It’s just so surreal and stupid to comment, really. As of today, with the line the Russians have run with tight ties between sports, the military and politics, I think we should still ban them. Fourcade says that he himself was part of the military, but never competed as a soldier when he entered. It was immaterial to him. Thinks the position weighs heavily. Thingnes Bø believes that Fourcade’s actions can certainly be explained in terms of law, but that sport is an important means, which can contribute to great support and commitment. Russia has several times used it for propaganda purposes. – I think it’s important that you don’t just allow everyone to be able to compete outside Russia’s national borders. Then you don’t have it as a means of pressure to stop the war. ‘ He understands that it is a difficult situation for the athletes who are affected. – Over time it will probably be very difficult for the Russian athletes, but perhaps the irritation could become so great that it could contribute to the end of war and any other problems. You won’t get that if you leave it to others. It is a difficult dilemma. It is difficult for the athletes. We have compassion for them, but at the same time there is something bigger. – He has done a lot of things right, right here I feel he misses a bit. It will be exciting to see what happens next. Newly minted sprint world champion Johannes Thingnes Bø believes that Fourcade’s position can weigh heavily internally in the IOC. Swedish Sebastian Samuelsson agrees. – We cannot normalize the war Samuelsson was present during the IOC meeting, where both Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen and Fourcade expressed that athletes should not be discriminated against on the basis of passports. He expressed surprise that more people did not oppose the message. Therefore, he is not surprised. – I am very aware that he has that view. I do not agree. – Why not? – I think there must be consequences for starting a war of aggression during the Olympic peace, says Samuelsson. The Swede points out that Russia has broken the Olympic peace three times by attacking other countries. It happened in 2008, 2014 and 2022. – If you break the rules, the consequence should be that they should not be allowed to participate. It is naive to think that it is not connected. We cannot normalize this war that Russia is waging. NORWEGIAN SUPPORT TO UKRAINE: Tarjei Bø (back from left), Johannes Thingnes Bø and Sturla Holm Lægreid, together with Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen, Ukrainian Dmytro Pidrushchnyj and Johannes Dale. They captured the first six places in the WC sprint. Photo: LISA LEUTNER / Reuters Ukraine’s Dmytro Pidruchny was delighted after finishing 5th in the WC sprint. When he heard about Martin Fourcade’s opinion and desire to get them back, the smile quickly disappeared. He obviously got emotional and shook his head. – If he does, it is a big mistake. I don’t think Russian and Belarusian athletes should be here – not until after the war. They must pay for what they have done. We can’t talk about it until after that, says Pidruchnyj to news.
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Thingnes Bø thinks Fourcade misses the Russia game – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
