“We acted as a united front”: Borodavko on the FIS decision adopted under pressure from the northern countries

Russian skiers leave Norway, where the next stage of the World Cup starts on Thursday.

On Tuesday, March 1, the International Ski Federation (FIS) suspended the athletes of the national team from participating in competitions under its auspices, explaining the decision by the desire to ensure the safety of the competition.

At the same time, the organization initially allowed athletes to the tournament.

The coach of the domestic team Yuri Borodavko, who is with the national team, told RT how this decision was made. 

- Tell me what happened?

- The Norwegians flatly refused to comply with the FIS requirements.

They said that if the international federation obliges them to hold competitions with the participation of Russians, they will refuse the stage.

The Norwegian Federation, in fact, delivered an ultimatum to the FIS.

Therefore, we have no choice but to pack our things and fly home.

- How does it look from the outside?

Are the people who used to shake hands now pretending not to know you?

- Something like this.

To put it mildly.

But we do not meet with those who make decisions, with the leadership of the international federation.

It all goes on in absentia and at a higher level.

The Norwegians created public opinion, the Finnish and Swedish federations joined.

They acted as a united front.

Plus, the sponsor of the World Cup also supported them.

A coalition has been formed, which is now pursuing its own policy.

- Does it somehow manifest itself at the household level?

- Everyone behaves quite correctly.

Even journalists.

There is no importunity.

General phrases ask what and why.

There are no provocative questions about the war or anything like that.

Do you understand how to live now?

“Now we need to think about how long this situation will last, what successive steps our leadership plans to take.

There should be no hasty decisions.

Everything must be done in a timely manner.

- Does the Russian calendar somehow compensate for the lack of international starts?

- Now young athletes who are studying will go to the Universiade upon arrival.

Someone will take part in the Demino marathon.

Let's find some more races.

And the championship of Russia at the end of March in Syktyvkar.

- Athletes are depressed?

“Now there is an awareness of what happened.

Hopeless situation.

Sadness - don't be sad, there's nothing you can do.

Most of all, it is insulting, of course, to Natalya Nepryaeva and Alexander Bolshunov, who fought for the Big Crystal Globe.

Once again I am convinced of the weakness of the federations - Swedish and Norwegian.

It seems that they simply do not want to see the Russians on the pedestal.

And they are trying their best to stop it.

Like, if not the results, then we will remove the rivals in a different way.

I can't find any other explanation. 

- How will you return?

- Now the Ministry of Sports is working on this issue.

There are several options: the fastest or the most affordable.

And we are all in Norway, in Oslo.

Of course, there is a wave of psychosis.

People seem to start to compete with each other, who will hurt us more.

Time will pass, contacts between countries will be restored, but the attitude towards those who are now most violently attacking our athletes, after they have shown themselves in this situation, will no longer be what it was before.