Ever since the start of the war, protests and demonstrations have been organized around the world.
Now SOK's talent developer Wolfgang Pichler, who is best known as a biathlon coach, hopes to get the whole sports world on the train.
Olympic gold medalist initiator
He is part of a group that works to get the world's athletes in a major protest against Russia, in support of Ukraine.
- It is difficult, and normally we say in sports that we can not influence the world in general, but we have an opportunity and we must take advantage of that opportunity, he says to SVT Sport.
Among the other initiators are the former biathlon star Tobias Angerer and the three-time Olympic gold medalist in tobogganing, Felic Loch.
Will talk to Samulsson
The group had its first meeting as late as yesterday, but Wolfgang Pichler hopes to include many Swedes in the appeal.
- I'll start with that tonight.
I'll talk to Sebastian (Samuelsson) and Hanna (Öberg).
And I'll talk to (Nils) van der Poel.
You can write that I invite all Swedish athletes!
It has nothing to do with elite athletes.
Everyone who is against what is happening and wants to fight against it should be behind this idea, says Pichler, and continues:
- I think that if we are all united, we have a chance.
It is difficult, but if we do not do something, it is even more difficult.
You have to struggle!
"Must fight"
Later this week, Pichler hopes that the group will set up a website, where they will publish a letter and the names of everyone behind the protest.
- And there we will write that all the athletes in the world must fight against what is happening, says Pichler, who has also contacted some Russian athletes:
- I have sent some messages, but have not received any real answers.
- But it's so clear for them right now.
And of course I feel sorry for the Russian athletes for not being allowed to compete, but of course I think that's right!
It is war.
Everyone must understand that the free world must do this.
It's not about emotions now.
This is bigger.
And difficult.
ARCHIVE: IOC wants to stop Russian athletes (February 28):
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Thomas Bach and the IOC want to stop athletes from Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Photo: Martin Messner / AP / TT