On October 20, Norwegian men’s national team head coach Eric Muir Nossum expressed concerns over the potential return of Russian athletes to international competitions, suggesting a possible boycott if their participation is allowed. “We shouldn’t compete with them. Nothing has changed since they were suspended. My opinion is unequivocal — they should not be returned,” he stated.
Nossum argued that Russia’s involvement in sports serves as a propaganda tool, emphasizing the effectiveness of a boycott as a response. The International Ski Federation (FIS) is set to deliberate on the inclusion of Russian athletes ahead of the Olympic Games, with Russia and Belarus currently excluded from ski events since 2022.
Meanwhile, Norwegian skier Johannes Klebo criticized the idea of a boycott, asserting that allowing Russian competitors would elevate the level of international tournaments. “The return of Russians would make competitions tougher and more interesting,” he remarked on October 11.
