Nothing is known yet about the aid coming from the Federation
Five days have passed since a severe mass collapse affected young skiers at the Spartakiad in Sochi. Nineteen athletes were injured, with several requiring hospitalization for fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
For example, sixteen-year-old Arina Maksimova suffered a double fracture and dislocation of her left arm.
The athlete attributed the large collapse to harsh weather conditions and to the fact that participants were not allowed to warm up on the challenging Olympic track, where a dangerous descent awaited and where many fell.
“We were told the route was temporarily closed because of a malfunctioning snow removal vehicle. We didn’t have time to approach the most dangerous descents.”
Not every region has the chance to fly to the mountains for training. Many participants arrived in a single day, and it was their first time in the elevated terrain.
There were many expressions of support from various people. “There has been no assistance from management,” said the 16-year-old athlete, as reported by Match TV.
Irina’s grandmother, whose grandchild was among the injured skiers, confirmed to socialbites.ca that the Russian Ski Federation had not yet provided additional support or resources to the athletes.
Her grandson also sustained a knee injury from a ski pole during the collapse. “My grandson is mostly well, but his leg and shoulder hurt, and he cannot perform at his best. There is still no information about any Federation aid,” Irina said. The grandmother added that other skiers suffered broken arms, legs, and ribs as well.
All athletes have insurance coverage against such incidents, stated Evgenia Papushina, a ski coach from St. Petersburg who trained a team affected by the event. In an interview with socialbites.ca, she asserted that no athlete needed Federation assistance. “No one on our team has to cover health expenses or moral damages. All athletes have accident insurance for such events; they should not start racing without insurance. If there are questions, they should be directed to the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, which organized these competitions,” the coach said.
Remarkably, three days after the mass collapse, Papushina’s charges won the relay at Spartakiad. “Initially, staying in the mountains limited our early prize chances, but in the relay race all our athletes were in good form and delivered solid results,” the trainer noted. Papushina also suggested that organizers bore no responsibility for the crash and injuries, adding that at first the weather was normal and that an expert indicated the waterfall was not the organizers’ fault.
The Federation says the collapse was driven by athletes’ fears
The Russian Ski Racing Federation aligned with Papushina’s view, arguing that the incident stemmed from the athletes’ emotions. Technical delegate Igor Belomestnov dismissed the claims of zero visibility and “porridge” on the slopes as incorrect, suggesting the collapse resulted from fear. He noted that visibility was adequate and described the sequence of falls from the first to the last as an emotional reaction on the track. He described how coaches’ warnings and screams may have amplified anxiety among competitors, as reported by Match TV.
Yegor Sorin, coach of the Russian national cross-country team, echoed the sentiment that injuries are an inherent risk in sport and that cross-country racing often takes place under harsh conditions, including very low temperatures. He urged not to assign blame hastily and said organizers would learn from the event to better protect athletes in the future, as stated on his Telegram channel.
Guberniev’s dispute with the Federation and personal consequences
Noted biathlon and cross-country commentator Dmitry Guberniev disagreed with the Federation’s stance, accusing Sorin of defending those at fault and labeling him a “coach of serfs” who adheres to his employers’ viewpoints. He expressed deep concern for the wellbeing of children involved in such events and criticized those responsible for protecting young athletes’ rights, as reported in Soviet Sport.
Subsequently, reports indicated that organizers declined to house him within the stadium premises in the Arkhangelsk region, where the national cross-country championships would take place. Guberniev described contracts being rescinded and faced with personal hardship, revealing that he contemplated alternative living arrangements such as camping near the competition site. He also mentioned potential accommodations offered by teammates and other athletes, and he contemplated attending the Russian ski championships in Malinovka with a tent, expressing determination to remain engaged with the sport and its participants.