In 2017, the cross-country skiing world saw a strong stance from Federico Pellegrino, who announced a suspension of Russian athletes. His remarks set a clear direction for Fondo Italy and its readers.
Pellegrino examined the Scandinavian nations’ approach to admitting Russian participants, noting that while the Olympic Charter emphasizes the independence of sport from politics, there are calls for ethical sanctions that do not align with this principle. He stressed that the core message from the IOC urges federations to weigh safety and the smooth running of events when considering participation by Russian or Belarusian athletes.
He pointed out that at present the International Ski Federation is not prepared to invite Russian or Belarusian athletes, citing potential risks in the current global climate. The same is not necessarily true across all sports; for example, tennis has shown fewer barriers in allowing Russian competitors under certain circumstances.
Pellegrino acknowledged that athletes may hold personal political views and condemned the various conflicts unfolding worldwide. Yet he emphasized that the Olympic Charter should remain the guiding beacon for how sport is managed and debated on the world stage.
Earlier in 2022, following IOC recommendations, the International Ski Federation (FIS) suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions through the end of that season, a move intended to align with broader safety and sporting integrity concerns.
Later, on October 25, a formal FIS meeting concluded with the decision to extend the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from participation in the Cross-Country World Cup for the 2023/24 season, signaling a continued cautious approach to competition inclusion. The era since has seen ongoing debates about fairness, safety, and the role of politics in sport.
Earlier notable results included Bolshunov earning a time-trial victory, underscoring the competitive pressure and the evolving dynamics within international cross-country racing.