A Russian skiing news narrative unfolded around the events at Malinovka and the Spartakiad. The report notes that journalist Dmitry Guberniev claimed a ban on his residence near the stadium in Malinovka, where the Russian championships were scheduled to be held. He reported that the Russian Ski Racing Federation had prevented him from living inside the stadium complex and accused the federation of breaking an agreement, saying he was left out on the street. He described the situation as if “thieves’ hats were burned,” a colorful expression used to convey his sense of unfair treatment.
Further developments surfaced on March 11 when a confrontation occurred between Guberniev and Yegor Sorin, the coach of the Russian cross-country ski team. The dispute appeared to arise after Sorin voiced defense of the federation’s leadership in the wake of widespread participation by skiers in the Student Spartakiad. Observers noted that tensions had been rising as officials and athletes navigated the fallout from the event.
The Spartakiad’s 10-kilometer mass start took place on March 8 in the village of Estosadok, located in the Krasnodar region. Competitors faced difficult weather conditions that day, and the route experienced a significant blockage at a high-speed section, disrupting progress and altering race dynamics for several skiers.
Context from the international stage showed that in spring 2022, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) extended a suspension on Russian and Belarusian athletes from global competitions through the end of the season. As a result, Russian athletes focused their competition within domestic venues and local tournaments, highlighting the ongoing restrictions on international participation.
Earlier statements from Sorin had labeled Guberniev as a scoundrel, contributing to a climate of controversy and public disagreement surrounding leadership and governance within the sport. The tensions illustrate how governance decisions and athlete participation can intersect with media figures, coaches, and national sports bodies during moments of significant organizational stress.