Russian Flags at Tour de Ski Spark Debate After Athlete’s Strong Finish
A number of fans waving Russian flags where present at the final stage of the Tour de Ski on Alpe Cermis, cheering on Savelij Korosteljov, who competed under a neutral flag. The display has prompted discussion about the appropriateness of displaying national symbols given the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“When there are Russian flags here, it’s not vrey neutral,” commented Swedish skier Edvin Anger.”It’s been a long time as we saw it… So it’s special. I don’t know what to say. It becomes special when there is a war and all of a sudden they are here.”
Korosteljov, 22, was allowed to compete after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation’s (FIS) ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes earlier this winter. He made his World Cup debut in Davos in December and achieved a fourth-place finish in the final leg of the Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme.
“I was dying at the end. So I’m very happy to be fourth,” Korosteljov said after the race.
The presence of Russian flags, however, continues to be a sensitive issue within the sporting community.
Russian Flags at Tour de Ski spark Reactions After Skater’s Strong Finish
The presence of russian flags at the finish line of the final stage of the Tour de ski has drawn attention and commentary from athletes, following a strong performance by russian skater Savelij Korosteljov. Korosteljov competes under a neutral flag due to the ongoing international sanctions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine, prohibiting him from representing Russia directly.
Korosteljov, who finished fourth in the final stage – his best result in a World Cup event – expressed surprise at seeing the flags. “I was surprised,” he said, adding, “It made me happy.”
The rules governing Russian athletes competing internationally require them to maintain a neutral status,explicitly prohibiting any expression of support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine and preventing them from competing under the Russian flag or in Russian colors. https://www.ioc.org/news/ioc-executive-board-decisions-regarding-russian-and-belarusian-athletes
Swedish skier Edvin Anger noted that Korosteljov and fellow Russian competitor Darya Neprjaeva (the sole Russian woman in the competition) hadn’t made a significant impact until recently. “I still think it has been quite anonymous,” Anger stated. “They haven’t been noticed that much. I guess they haven’t been riding too well.He (Korosteljov) rode a bit well at the end and he’s good at classic, then he rode well today.”
Korosteljov ultimately finished 28th overall in the Tour de Ski, 2 minutes and 28 seconds behind the winner, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway. https://www.fis-ski.com/en/cross-country/tour-de-ski/results
Klæbo responded diplomatically to questions about the Russian flags, stating, “No, I haven’t thought of that. And it’s nothing that he (Korosteljov) can handle either. So you can’t blame him for that.”