“Because you are Russian”: IBU refused to cooperate with one of the best biathlon photographers

The International Biathlon Union has suspended photographer Yevgeny Tumashov, who is deservedly considered one of the best in his field, from work at the World Cup stage in Finnish Kontiolahti.

He cooperated with the IBU for more than ten years, but was not needed at one moment.

According to the Russian, when he arrived at the stadium on March 2 to film a training session, Christian Manzoni, head of the IBU photo service, approached him and announced that the organization no longer needed his services.

“When I asked why, he replied: “Because you are Russian,” Tumashov said in an interview with RT.

On the same day, the shocked photographer packed his things and left for home.

This story quickly became public knowledge, and the domestic press asked the IBU for a comment on what happened.

Not surprisingly, biathlon officials began to deny harassment on a national basis, and Tumashov's departure was explained solely by concern for his well-being.

“We did not remove Eugene from work.

We were concerned about his well-being and provided him with the option to either stay at the event or, if it was safer, return home - with full payment either way.

Eugene does not work for the IBU, he is a freelancer who is hired from time to time.

The stage in Kontiolahti was the last booking (on Tumashov’s schedule at IBU events. -

) in accordance with the plan made last fall, ”Match TV quotes the response of the IBU press service.

In turn, the photographer called these explanations cunning, if not hypocrisy.

According to him, in fact, he had no choice as such.

“Manzoni really gave me two options.

If I wanted to, I could stay on the stage, I could even take pictures, but, as he said, they simply do not need my photos.

In addition, he said that I would not be allowed on the firing line, because there were weapons there, and he could not guarantee my safety!

And the second option: go home at the same minute.

Which I did.

I arrived to work for the IBU, and it was pointless to stay and do nothing or take pictures just like that, ”the specialist emphasized.

Tumashov said that for the first time in his years of work at international competitions, he faced aggression.

What is most offensive - from their own colleagues.

“For example, we used to communicate well with the photographer from the Czech team, but this time he didn’t even say hello, and when we met eyes, he looked away and left,” said Evgeny.

According to the photographer, he did not expect such an attitude towards himself and went to the final stage of the KM, provided for by the contract, with a desire to take beautiful pictures.

“When I heard that they didn’t want to work with me because I’m Russian, I just didn’t know how to react to it.

I remembered the times when they did the same with Jews in Nazi Germany or with blacks in America.

I was not used to this feeling when you are deprived of what you love on a national basis.

Your work, which used to bring joy to everyone, ”the Russian complained.

He wonders how and why this negativity was able to enter the realm of photography, where “there should be no politics, only beauty.”

“I treat photography as an art and in sports, in biathlon in particular, I try to look for beauty, light.

All these are other categories than such strange political moments, ”the RT interlocutor emphasized.

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Publication from Evgeny Tumashov (@evgeny.tumashov)

Tumashov was not really a staff member of the IBU, but for more than ten years the federation concluded annual contracts with him for a certain number of filming.

And there is a possibility that when the political situation in the world becomes calmer, he will be asked to resume cooperation.

But the photographer himself still finds it difficult to answer the question of whether he is ready to return.

“I haven’t fully thought it over and comprehended everything that happened.

I am experiencing unpleasant emotions now, but what will happen next - we'll see.

In the near future I will be photographing at the Cup and the Russian Championship in Ufa and Tyumen.

I will be very happy to work with the Russian team and with the Belarusians, who will also come,” Tumashov said.

The well-known biathlon commentator Dmitry Guberniev also expressed his opinion about the situation.

He admitted that he was not surprised by what happened.

“You can see for yourself that events are growing like a snowball.

For example, I wrote to the general commentary chat on social networks, and only one person answered me there.

This is completely normal.

It would be strange if Tumashov continued to cooperate with the IBU.

He is a brilliant photographer, but people who just yesterday communicated normally pretended not to know him, ”said the presenter.

He was also surprised at the IBU's explanation that the photographer's departure was allegedly for security reasons.

“It is difficult to say to what extent this will continue.

Everything is moving too fast.

The situation is strange, I hope he will be paid the fee in full.

Evgeny gave one version, IBU - another.

But I know the man, and I have no reason not to believe him.

The International Biathlon Union said they wanted to protect him.

But from whom?

From ourselves?

the journalist concluded.