Elena Vyalbe, who serves as president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, known as FLGR, spoke about the difficulties of repeatedly addressing the conditions under which Russian athletes might return to international competition. Her comments were conveyed by Match TV.
She emphasized a focus on national identity before international participation. According to her, the country will pursue a return to global events only when Russian athletes are fully eligible to compete as Russians under their own flag and standards.
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to the broader sports community, urging federations to restrict the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international events amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Following those recommendations, the International Ski Federation, or FIS, extended a suspension that applied to athletes from Russia and Belarus for the remainder of that season. The outcome kept these athletes competing primarily in domestic venues and national championships rather than on the world stage.
Today, the focus for many skiers is the Russian Championships held in the city of Tchaikovsky in Tatarstan. The event gathered skiers from Russia and, notably, Belarus as well, highlighting regional participation despite the broader international ban.
There has also been public debate from outside Russia about organizing events without certain national teams. In one instance, a Swedish commentator criticized the decision to proceed without Russian athletes, underscoring the international divide over participation and rules in a polarized sporting landscape.
Observers note that the current arrangement reflects a larger pattern in international sport where eligibility and national representation are tightly linked to geopolitical developments, and where decisions by governing bodies continue to shape the competitive calendar for athletes across the region.