Cross-country skiing: Veronika Stepanova backs Putin – trains alongside Norwegian skiers in Livigno

Russian cross-country star Veronika Stepanova has taken a clear public stance in favor of Vladimir Putin and has openly criticized some of her former international rivals.

In recent social-media posts and text messages to Swedish media, and in a written comment to SVT after FIS extended the suspension of Russian cross-country skiers, Stepanova stated: “It’s very simple: Vladimir Putin is my president, and my country is always right.”

Head coach Yegor Sorin argues that athletes should not discuss politics publicly, yet says he does not understand why Russian athletes should be barred from expressing support for their president. “People think that if you say something good about your president, you should automatically be banned from competition. I don’t understand that. Our president is our country. And why shouldn’t I be allowed to express gratitude to our president for developing sport in the country?” he says.

SVT met Stepanova at a training camp in the Olympic venue of Livigno, Italy, where she declined an interview. She was seen training alongside Norwegian men Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Emil Iversen. Yulia Stupak, who with Stepanova won Olympic relay gold in Beijing 2022, was also on track. Stupak said she prefers to focus on herself and her results, and does not want to damage relations with athletes she shares the track with.

Emil Iversen says it is a special feeling to train on the same tracks as Russian athletes but supports FIS’s decision to continue barring them from competition. He acknowledges how hard it is for Russians to miss the Olympics but stresses that this cannot be compared to what Ukrainians endure: “They risk being bombed and killed every night,” Iversen says.

SVT links related coverage, including a mini‑documentary titled “Russia – the unwanted national team,” and interviews with Russian team members discussing their future and the IOC/FIS stance.