SVT Sport has for several days tried to get an interview with Damberg about how the corona restrictions affect sporting events.
The Minister of the Interior is now answering a few questions, in connection with a visit to Angered.
- The entry ban in Europe is not a Swedish decision.
It is a joint decision within the EU, says the Minister of the Interior to SVT.
The EU travel agency stops travel that is deemed unnecessary.
The International Biathlon Federation IBU decided on Saturday to move the World Cup competitions in Östersund 3-6 December.
Instead of holding the season's first four competitions in four different locations, the four competitions will only be held in Finnish Kontiolahti and Austrian Hochfilzen.
On Monday, the Swedish Biathlon Federation held a live broadcast due to the IBU's decision.
- We have wanted to convey to the government that professional athletes should be seen as other professionals and should be able to make exceptions from the entry ban that prevails from certain countries and nationalities, says Rikard Grip, general secretary of the biathlon association.
Mikael Damberg believes that the government has tried to address the issue of the travel ban in the European Commission in an attempt to find a solution that the member states support.
Why can one not see professional athletes as professionals like anyone who can be exempted from entry?
- It can definitely be discussed, but then we have to do it in Europe as a whole because it is a domestic ban that applies to the whole of the EU.
That is why it is important that the European Commission addresses this issue, we believe, says Damberg.
See the full interview with Damberg in the player above.