Recently, there have been more and more signals from the sports world to open up internationally to Russian and Belarusian athletes, even though the war in Ukraine continues.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recently told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera:

- We have to review when we can carry out our mission again, to have everyone back and in what format.

It is about getting athletes with Russian passports who do not support the war back to the competitions.

At the time, the International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation (FIS) general secretary Michel Vion had already opened the door for Russian and Belarusian skiers:

- Maybe we can find a solution by December.

Or before the WC here in Planica, that could also be a good option, said Vion at a seminar in Planica.

Svahn: "Must distance myself"

This development has caused the Swedish star trio Linn Svahn, Maja Dahlqvist and Frida Karlsson, who are now in camp in Mallorca, to react strongly:

- It's shameful, it's not okay.

As long as Russia is at war with Ukraine, we must distance ourselves from it and not welcome Russian participants.

I think it is a clear position that sports should have.

Unfortunately, sports and politics are connected, says Svahn.

TT: Are you ready to boycott the WC in Planica if skiers from Russia and Belarus are allowed to participate?

- Yes I would.

Here and now, I would definitely be prepared for it.

When you then stand there, I hope you would act in the same way as I am thinking here and now.

Absolutely, answers Linn Svahn.

Dahlqvist wants to boycott

When Maja Dahlqvist is asked the same question about WC boycott, she answers:

- Yes, that's certainly how I think most people are reasoning right now.

This is something bigger than sport.

Then, when you stand there in place, there will be a decision to make.

As it is now, it goes without saying with a boycott.

Maja Dahlqvist is critical of the development that major sports federations are discussing allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to return.

- That's completely wrong.

I don't understand how they reason when they think of bringing the Russians in when there is continued war.

It's the same situation as when we turned them off.

I see no reason to bring them.

"The responsibility of the whole world"

Frida Karlsson says that she has not decided whether she is prepared to go as far as boycotting the WC.

At the same time, she states:

- It is the responsibility of the whole world to do something, take a stand and not let them participate as long as the war continues.

Ola Strömberg, national director of the Swedish Skiing Association, sympathizes with skiers who are concerned that skiers from the affected countries should be allowed to compete internationally again.

- If it turns out that Russians, in the current situation, would come back and compete, I fully understand that other skaters find it very uncomfortable and all the words you can put in there, says Strömberg.

"Totally reprehensible"

Recently Fis had a planning meeting in Zurich and officially it was said that the Russia issue was not an item on the agenda.

But Ola Strömberg says that this is a very current issue within Fis:

- It's on the wallpaper all the time, more or less.

But I don't think it has been an official topic in Zurich, without knowing, because I wasn't there myself.

Ola Strömberg continues:

- Michel Vion's statement that it is time for Russia to come back or that they are planning for it, of course that issue is on our agenda because we think it is completely reprehensible to even start discussing it.

On October 22, Fis will decide on Russia's and Belarus's participation this winter.