- I heard that Julia was there.
I was not aware that she was on the competition tracks with a vest, but it has happened and we know where she got the vest from, says Michal Lamplot, competition leader at FIS, to NRK.
In order to stay inside the tracks, you must have an accreditation in the form of a vest that must be worn visibly.
The international skiing federation, FIS, knows which national team gave the vest to Stupak, but does not want to say which country it is.
- We spoke to the team and told them that the vest is only intended for athletes who will participate in the race, and that it will not happen again, says Lamplot.
Appelkvist Stenseth: "Disrespectful"
Fis has banned Russia and Belarus since March 2022. Although the IOC and UN are happy to see Russian athletes in neutral flag championships, Fis has underlined that Russian skaters are not welcome back this season.
- The fact that she is here makes it even worse.
I was a bit surprised.
It is special that she shows up here, says Tiril Udnes Weng, who leads the World Cup.
- It is disrespectful to wear it, says teammate Ane Appelkvist Stenseth.
Fis sees the matter as exaggerated and has given the national team in question a warning.
- It is provocative and since you know who gave her the vest, it should have consequences, says the Norwegian Skiing Association's chairman Erik Röste.