As recently as last Saturday, the IBU announced that Russian and Belarusian biathletes are allowed to compete, but under a neutral flag.
But after the IOC called on all sports federations to shut down the countries completely, the IBU tightened sanctions on Russian and Belarusian activists and leaders - which were then stopped from all international competitions.
- It has been a difficult question.
I actually thought that the IBU's first decision was good, but since then some things have happened that made me think that the stricter punishment was better, says Sebastian Samuelsson to SVT Sport.
"Must react in some way"
The message was not something that the Russian national team appreciated.
"We believe that the decision is illegal, unreasonable and categorically unacceptable," the Russian biathlon federation wrote to the IBU according to Norwegian NRK.
Samuelsson is now sharply criticizing the union's reaction to the suspension.
- I thought it was a sad backlash from them.
They put on the sacrificial cardigan a bit and felt very sorry for themselves, I think it is a strange perspective to take.
When you, regardless of what you think about the war, and how involved the Russian riders are, you should be able to understand that the outside world must react in some way, says the Swedish star.
"Difficult situation for them too"
Samuelsson suffers with everyone involved in the war and says that sport does not feel as important right now.
- It's a terrible situation there.
It will be special to compete, you feel that it may not be the most important thing right now, but I think it is the same for everyone, no matter what you work with, you get a different perspective on life.
It is important that everyone does what they can, he says.
Samuelsson also believes that somewhere you still have to distinguish between the Russian riders and the war.
- I would be surprised if some of the Russian riders sympathize with what Putin is doing right now.
It is certainly a difficult situation for them as well.