Pidruchny's criticism comes the day after former biathlon star Simon Fourcade, now coach of the French junior national team, spoke in the Russian media.
- It feels like the IBU (International Biathlon Federation) only follows other federations.
They may feel pressured, but I do not think that the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian skiers is a further good decision, says the Frenchman according to NRK and continues:
- Excluding practitioners per se is very hard.
Therefore, I can not understand why it is necessary to shut down the Russian Federation.
It's a wrong decision.
"Let him be"
Ukrainian Dmytro Pidruchny already chose in February to end the biathlon season to join the Ukrainian army instead.
Now the 30-year-old is furious after Fourcade's statement.
"I have not had the opportunity to write here for a while, but yesterday's interview with Simon Fourcade made me furious
," the Ukrainian writes on Instagram.
"I hope your children will never have to feel the pain the children of Ukraine have been forced to experience. Children who have been forced to leave their homes, have been forced to hear explosions, have seen their mothers raped and relatives killed. ”
Dmytro Pidruchny criticizes both Simon and little brother Martin Fourcade, to which Simon reacts strongly.
"I'm old enough to take a stand on my own, so it's not necessary to involve my brother in this discussion. Please, let him be "
, writes Simon Fourcade on Instagram.
He also writes that he was forced to endure hate messages after the interview.
To be clear: I do not support the war or the Russian government! Is it clear enough ?! ”,
he writes.