Cross-country: Russian coach slams FIS ruling as “smelling of Russophobia”

Russian cross-country skiing officials have spoken publicly following the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) decision on 21 October to continue barring Russian cross-country athletes from the World Cup this season. Because Olympic qualification runs through the World Cup, the ruling also prevents them from earning places for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

In an interview with SVT Sport conducted in Livigno, Italy, national head coach Yegor Sorin called the outcome tragic for his athletes, saying some “cried after the decision.” Sorin leveled sharp criticism at leading Scandinavian skiers who had advocated keeping the ban, arguing that their statements influenced FIS. He described the situation as “smelling of Russophobia,” and alleged there was “a form of blackmail,” claiming pressure was applied to the 22 FIS council members ahead of the vote.

Sorin’s comments come after notable Nordic athletes publicly supported continued exclusion of Russia, including Sweden’s Linn Svahn—who had threatened a boycott—and Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, whom Sorin called “bizarre” in his reactions. When asked whether Russia’s own actions were the root cause of the exclusion, Sorin argued that FIS had the discretion to allow neutral participation under IOC recommendations and chose not to.

SVT’s foreign correspondent Bert Sundström contextualized the rhetoric, noting that accusations of “Russophobia” have long been promoted by the Russian state as a defensive narrative.

At Milan–Cortina 2026, some Russian athletes in sports such as figure skating and speed skating could compete as neutrals, but Russia has appealed FIS’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in hopes of entering athletes in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. FIS replied to SVT by email that its council’s decision stands and declined to comment on Sorin’s criticism.