Two-time Olympic champion comments on Russians’ absence and Norwegian success
Two-time Olympic champion Dmitry Vasiliev weighed in on the ongoing debate about records in skiing amid the exclusion of Russian athletes from international competition. He adopted a tone of irony when discussing the current landscape of results and the dominance of Norwegian skiers, noting that the absence of Russian competitors alters the competitive field in significant ways.
Vasiliev suggested a provocative, tongue-in-cheek idea regarding event organization and medal distribution. He joked about awarding all medals to the Norwegians, a nation that has consistently topped medals tables in cross-country skiing. He observed that Norwegians often appear to be at the center of the sport’s most remarkable performances while acknowledging that exclusion of certain nations reshapes the prestige and perception of records. The overall sentiment remained playful and critical, with Vasiliev emphasizing that these records are not a testament to achievement in a fully open field but rather a consequence of the current geopolitical and organizational constraints. The remark was attributed to Match TV in coverage of the exchange.
In context, the International Ski Federation (FIS) had extended sanctions that prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in most international events through the end of the previous season and into the present season. This has affected participation in the final stages of the 2021/22 World Cup and in the ongoing World Cup events, altering who is eligible to chase titles and how records are interpreted on the global stage.
Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has been a prominent figure this season, leading the overall World Cup standings. He had also topped the standings last season, with Alexander Bolshunov trailing his pace from the Russian side. On February 24, Klæbo surpassed the Russian athletes in the total number of medals at the world championships, highlighting a shift in medal distribution that aligns with the new competitive landscape rather than a simple reflection of talent alone.
Earlier, Elena Vyalbe spoke about the neutral status assigned to Russian athletes and the implications for teams that are restricted from representing their country in major events. Her comments reflected the broader debate surrounding neutrality and eligibility, and they contributed to the ongoing discussion about how records should be evaluated when geopolitical decisions affect who is allowed to compete. The conversation underscores a broader challenge in modern sport: balancing competitive integrity with geopolitical realities while maintaining meaningful benchmarks for performance across categories and seasons.
Overall, observers note that the current environment invites a reevaluation of traditional metrics for success in skiing. With the absence of certain nations and the lingering questions about eligibility and sanctions, fans and analysts alike are considering how to interpret world championships, World Cup results, and career achievements in a way that remains fair, transparent, and respectful of the athletes who compete under varying conditions. The dialogue continues to evolve as new events unfold and as governing bodies reassess rules, eligibility, and the pathways for athletes to compete on the world stage without compromising safety, fairness, or the integrity of the sport.