‘Threatened’ an Olympic boycott – now the star changes course

Swedish cross‑country skier Linn Svahn previously suggested she could boycott the 2026 Winter Olympics if Russian athletes were allowed back. That question resurfaced after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) opened the door for some Russian competitors to participate under a neutral flag.

Speaking to Viaplay after Friday’s classic sprint in Granåsen, where she finished third, Svahn said she still believes it is wrong to "open the door" to Russian participation while the war continues and wants FIS to keep it closed. She emphasized that the original reason for exclusion remains valid in her view.

However, Svahn also indicated she intends to compete at Milano–Cortina 2026. “My goal is always to compete. I hope we won’t reach a situation where I have to reconsider. Now that CAS has made a decision, I will do my best to make the Olympic team,” she told Viaplay Sweden, adding that she hopes FIS’s earlier rejection carries weight.

The article links to background on the CAS decision and other Olympic‑selection stories, framing Svahn’s stance within the broader debate over eligibility of Russian athletes for the 2026 Games.