Olympic cross-country skiing champion Veronika Stepanova shared insights from her telegraph channel about the expectations set by her coach, Yegor Sorin. The remarks depict Sorin as a demanding mentor who encourages athletes to push themselves further, adding a little extra effort to each training cycle. Stepanova described the reward for those who complete a three-week training block in Malinovka as the prestigious Sorin Belt, a symbol of triumph over one’s own limits.
In spring 2022, the International Ski Federation (FIS) made the decision to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions for the remainder of the season. That suspension was extended on October 22 to cover the 2022/23 season as well. The IOC held a meeting on March 28 where it advised that Russian competitors could participate under a neutral status provided they do not actively support hostilities, and it clarified that athletes affiliated with law enforcement or armed forces would not be permitted to compete under these neutral terms.
Earlier reports noted that Norwegian racer Johannes Klæbo faced a ban from training at a resort after making the choice to leave the national team, illustrating how broader disciplinary actions can influence athletes’ access to training environments and competition preparation.