Cross-country: Russian response to Ukrainian skier’s remarks: “I can talk to anyone”
Originally published in SVT Sport on December 29, 2025
Ukrainian cross-country skier Andriy Dotsenko has said he will not speak with the Russian athletes who have returned to the Cross‑Country World Cup, describing them as “terrorists.”
Russian skier Savelii Korostelev, on site at the Tour de Ski, responded to SVT Sport that he is open to everyone: “I can talk to anyone. I’m happy to meet everyone here, and we are a family on the World Cup.”
The confrontation follows the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision that allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to enter the World Cup again. The Tour de Ski marked their first direct encounters with Ukrainian competitors since that ruling. In Monday’s 10 km classic race, Korostelev placed ninth.
The piece includes SVT’s video interview segments from the Tour de Ski venue and links to additional athlete reactions from the event.
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