At the end of last season, the IBU suspended all Russian and Belarusian skaters from all competition until further notice due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On September 15-18, the IBU's congress is held and there they are expected to make a decision to continue shutting down these two countries.
- It is clear that it is not a fun situation for the Belarusian or Russian riders, as well as for the Ukrainian riders.
It is of course very sad that this is where we have ended up, at the same time I don't currently see how we can welcome them back to the World Cup, it would feel very strange, says Sebastian Samuelsson.
Several stars disappear
The competition will definitely be affected if the Russian and Belarusian riders are absent.
Dzinara Alimbekava and Hanna Sola are two top names who disappear from the women's side.
- It is clear that it is not positive, it is a shame that the sport should be affected, but at the same time it feels like it would be very difficult to let them compete, says Elvira Öberg.
When do you see them being welcome back?
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It is necessary in some way that the war ends in any case and that the Russian and Belarusian biathlon federations strongly distance themselves from the war, then there is a chance somehow to be able to see them in the World Cup.
But I see it as very unbelievable that it would happen before the war ends, says Sebastian Samuelsson.