Cross-country skiing: Alexander Bolshunov has to stay in Italy until 21 February
On Thursday,Alexander Bolshunov ‘s presence in Seiser Alm (Italy) at the Moonlight Classic, a popular 30-kilometre night race, did not go unnoticed. The Russian skier had not taken part in an international competition (which is not on the FIS calendar) since Vladimir Putin’s army attacked Ukraine in early 2022.
“He asked if he could take part. We said yes. Every year, Russian athletes take part and this year is no exception,” Martina Rier, a member of the race organising committee, told SVT. ” We received permission from (Donald) Trump himself”, the competitor told SVT. Obviously a joke, as the website Sports.ru pointed out.
In any case, it was under a neutral banner that the three-time Olympic champion ran. On the start list, the Russian flag first appeared next to his name, before it was removed. This was widely commented on in his home country.
In any case,Alexander Bolshunov ‘s return took place in a special context. The day before, the American President had held lengthy talks with the head of the Kremlin on the subject of the Ukrainian conflict. This Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky had a meeting in Germany with an American delegation.
At the Moonlight Classic ceremony, second-placed Italian Lorenzo Busin appeared on the podium with a Ukrainian flag around his arm. Sweden’s Malin Boerjesjoe did the same. She finished third in the women’s race.
On the Russian television website Match TV, a statement is attributed to the former: “I would like to say that I have nothing against him as a person. He congratulated me after the finish line and I did the same. We shook hands because that’s how sport should be”.
On NRK, his compatriot Federico Pellegrino once again criticised the banning of his Russian opponents: “As I have said since the beginning of the war, I think that athletes from all countries should be able to compete, because sport should unite people”.
According to his coach, Yuri Borodavko, Alexander Bolshunov has received further invitations from race organisers in Italy. In any case, the athlete is due to stay in Italy until 21 February. The aim is for him to get his bearings in the Dolomites before the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina in 2026. At least, that’s what his coach told the Russian newspaper Sport Djen za Dnjom. In other words, the former world number one hopes to take part in the event. He is therefore counting on the political situation to change in the coming year.
However, no decision has yet been taken as to whether Russian skiers will be allowed to take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics or whether they will be allowed to compete in the World Cup during the 2025/2026 season.
During his stay, which began a fortnight ago, Alexander Bolshunov is accompanied by his family.
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