Skiing Norwegian star Holund demands World Cup culmination away from Russia: “It would be wrong to hold ski races in a war-torn country”

Norwegian skier Hans Christer Holund urges the International Ski Federation (FIS) to give up the closing weekend of the World Ski Cup in Russia.

The final event of the three competitions is scheduled to take place in Tyumen from 18 to 20 October. March.

“It would be wrong to hold ski races in a war-torn country,” Holund told the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gangille (VG).

The 32-year-old skier told VG he had made the decision to skip the Russian races even before the dramatic deepening of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“Hopefully Fis will be able to postpone the race weekend and not just cancel it,” Holund said.

Former Finnish national team skier Martti Jylhä said to HS on Tuesdaythat the final event should get out of Russia. Jylhä sits on the board of Fis as a representative of the athletes.

According to VG Sweden’s Östersund is a viable candidate to replace Tyumen.

Director of the Swedish Ski Association Ola Strömberg told the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation SVT: n in an interview that Östersund has been asked to be ready to accept the race.

“Competing in Russia feels uncomfortable due to the geopolitical situation. It would definitely make sense for Fis to find out if the races could be relocated, ”he said.

Skier Moa Lundgren told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladetillethat Holund, as an experienced and well-established skier, has different opportunities for a boycott.

“Some have to take their place on the national team and go there. Others have the opportunity to stay home, ”Lundgren said.

The 23-year-old Swede also has a place on the national team. Aftonbladet asked Lundgren if he had to go to Russia if the races were to be skied there.

“These are factors that are hard to control on your own. You just have to do what feels best at the moment, ”Lundgren replied.