Cross-country: Ukrainian skier blasts Russians’ World Cup return as “terrorists”

Ukrainian cross-country skier Andriy Dotsenko has sharply criticized the return of Russian athletes to the Cross-Country World Cup, following a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision that enables Russian competitors to race as neutrals.

Speaking to SVT Sport at the opening sprint stage of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy, Dotsenko said he has no intention of speaking with the Russian skiers.

“The whole world knows the Russians are terrorists, and we don’t talk to terrorists,” Dotsenko said. He added that he believes athletes should not be competing against Russians: “FIS should realize that the Russians are terrorists and listen to the whole world.”

Dotsenko referenced ongoing drone attacks on Ukraine and civilian casualties, arguing that sport and politics are inseparable: “They say sport and politics don’t belong together, but sport is 100 percent politics.”

Earlier in December, CAS upheld an appeal by the Russian Ski Association, opening the door for Russians to compete in the World Cup if cleared as neutral athletes. So far, two Russian and two Belarusian cross-country skiers have been approved. In Toblach, Russians Saveliy Korostelev and Darja/Natalya Nepryayeva appeared on the start lists, marking the first time in almost four years that Russian and Ukrainian athletes raced at the same World Cup event (Ukraine had not fielded athletes in Davos before Christmas).

Korostelev has avoided taking political stances, telling SVT earlier this year: “Unfortunately, sport has been politicized. I don’t want to comment, present an opinion, or engage in discussion. Sport used to be apolitical, but unfortunately it isn’t anymore.”