Earlier this autumn, both the International Ski Federation (FIS) general secretary Michel Vion and Thomas Bach, chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), opened for a re-entry of Russian and Belarusian athletes into competition.

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

It's about getting athletes with Russian passports who don't support the war back into the competitions, Bach said.

Strong Swedish reactions

The statements were met with strong reactions and the Swedish ski stars threatened a boycott.

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

As long as Russia is waging war against Ukraine, we must distance ourselves from it and not welcome Russian participants, said Linn Svahn, among other things.

But in the days it became clear that Russians and Belarusians are still suspended.

When SVT Sport meets Johan Eliasch, chairman of Fis, in connection with the alpine premiere in Sölden, he says that they choose to follow the IOC's guidelines.

"Decided to follow the IOC"

- It is a tough question.

We have decided to follow the IOC and their recommendations.

The IOC and their charter say that we as Olympic sports must "promote" peace through sport and that is very important.

Therefore, our policy is that Russians and Belarusians are not allowed to participate in our competitions, he says.

The IOC's Thomas Bach said in a speech last week in Seoul that Russia's invasion of Ukraine, backed by Belarus, is a "deepening breach of the Olympic agenda".

According to Inside the games, he then said that the sanctions against the countries and their governments should remain in place.

SEE MORE: Hear the Swedish national team skiers about the possible WC boycott (October 11, 2022)

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Hear the Swedish national team skaters about the possible WC boycott Photo: SVT/Bildbyrån