Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the International Ski Federation (FIS), like many other sports, closed down all Russian and Belarusian athletes.

At the same time, the controversial Russian ski base Jelena Välbe can run for re-election to the Fis council, the organization's board and the highest decision-making body.

This has been questioned by, among others, the Swedish Ski Association's chairman Karin Matsson in Expressen:

- It's one thing not to vote for her - but should she go to the polls at all?

Should she even be eligible for election?

We must find the same logic in this as in the case of active participation.

Nazi statements

Jelena Välbe has recently expressed support for the Russian war and pointed out the Ukrainian inhabitants as Nazis.

According to Norwegian NRK, she has said the following to the Russian site Championat:

- It is clear that Nazism should not exist as it does, but now Pandora's box is open.

Some of these people will flee to Europe and it is not about poor refugees in any way - they will show their true selves.

Sweden says no

Mats Årjes, who sits on Fi's board and is also a candidate for re-election, states that it is not surprising that Jelena Välbe can run.

- If you want to change something in the regulations regarding statutes and other things, it must pass a congress, be notified in the proper order and the question must have been prepared, says Mats Årjes to TT and continues:

- In this case, it's pretty straightforward.

She is a candidate, then it is up to the votes of the Congress to decide whether she will sit there or not.

The Swedish Ski Association has announced that it will not vote for Välbe at the congress in Milan on 26 May.

Mats Årjes shares this view:

- I have no other opinion than what the Swedish Ski Association has communicated.

TT: Do you think Jelena Välbe will be voted?

- I will not answer that.

As the situation looks right now, she is one of several candidates.

But since the Swedish Ski Association has said where you stand and think and think, I have no reason to speculate.

TT: What would it be like for you to sit on the same board as Välbe?

- As an individual council member (board member), you do not elect your board colleagues.

It does not work that way.

In this case, it is a democratic process that leads to those who will be sitting there.

No Russians in the IBU

In the International Biathlon Federation (IBU), no delegates from Russia and Belarus are welcome in the international work.

IBU chairman Olle Dahlin tells TT that this is possible by the union introducing new statutes as late as 2019.

- We have modern statutes, which has made it easier for us vis-à-vis them.

At the same time, these affected nations have appealed to the Cas (Sports Arbitration Court).

There we are now preparing our submission, says Dahlin.