After the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russian and Belarusian biathletes did not compete in the final three parts of the last World Cup season. The IBU suspended the national unions on March 29. On Friday, the Congress in Salzburg confirmed with a significant majority the proposal of the IBU Executive Board, which in August recommended extending both punishments. The union’s legal advisor, Christian Keidel, explained this by saying that none of the unions “distanced themselves from the actions of their government in connection with the unauthorized invasion of Ukraine” and also “the closeness of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the military units of their countries.”
With the continuation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a vote was taken in Salzburg to extend the suspension of activities. Result: 39 votes for, 2 votes against, 5 votes abstained. The experts’ expectations were thus confirmed. However, the head of Russian biathlon, Viktor Majgurov, said that the situation is slowly changing. “I have some estimates which countries have supported us, but I won’t be specific yet,” Majgurov said, adding that he had a phone call from a representative of one of the countries that are among the more influential in the IBU.
The IBU Congress has adopted the motion submitted by the Executive Board to confirm the EB decision dated 01 March 2022 to not allow participation of any Russian or Belarusian athletes or Officials at its International Events until further notice.
Yes: 39
No: 2
Abstained: 5 pic.twitter.com/sjMlgwyM9v
— International Biathlon Union (@biathlonworld) September 16, 2022
“Yes from one of the leaders of world biathlon. After our letter to the IBU (in which the Russians requested the lifting of the suspension) they called me and expressed their support and understanding. They didn’t perform today, I understand them, but for me it’s a good sign. It means a lot,” said Majgurov.
According to him, there are reasons why the situation should change. Not only in biathlon. “If we take cross-country skiing, it will be the Norwegian championship without ours. The Norwegians themselves would like to fight with the strongest. In biathlon, Russia and Belarus are also in the top 6, so it is also a loss for the competition,” Russian media quoted Majgur as saying.
Rezcovová commented on the news much more sharply. “Just bastards, what more can I say,” she said to the voting members of the IBU leadership. “Write it down. They just seem to fear our athletes as opponents. They are obviously afraid of us,” added the three-time Olympic champion in cross-country skiing and biathlon.
