Russia's ski squad can be a provocation: "Wants to drive wedges into the unity of the West"

Many people jumped when Russia presented a first squad for the winter's opening World Cup competitions in cross-country skiing. Partly because the premiere is still a month away, partly because it contained familiar names such as Aleksandr Bolshunov and Veronika Stepanova. This is despite the fact that the two former Olympic gold medalists are not among the skaters who have received so-called neutral status and thus can participate in international competitions under a neutral flag.

The Russian Ski Federation writes in a press release that the skiers will compete in Finland's Ruka on November 27-29 and in Trondheim in Norway on December 4-6 if they manage to get the permit before then.

In order for this to be possible, the international ski association Fis requires that the skiers have not taken a political stand in favor of Russia's war in Ukraine, participated in propaganda or have connections to the Russian armed forces.

Something that can be difficult for Aleksandr Bolshunov, who until recently held the rank of captain in the Russian National Guard. Veronika Stepanova has repeatedly expressed her support for President Vladimir Putin.

"It's very simple: Vladimir Putin is my president, and my country is always right," she wrote, among other things, in a message to SVT a year ago.

Stepanova, who was part of the Russian relay team that took Olympic gold in 2022, has also said on social media that she is not interested in any "permission" to compete internationally as long as the Russian flag and national anthem are not seen and heard.

The fact that the Russian Ski Federation still chooses to include Stepanova and Bolshunov in the squad may have political overtones, believes Bo Petersson, who is a professor of political science at Malmö University, where he founded a research platform on Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus region.

- In this context, the sporting aspect is probably subordinate in the perspective of the Russian regime. The important thing is to try to drive as many wedges as possible into the West's previous agreement regarding the boycott of Russia on various levels, he says.

- You can see how the previous international agreement is cracking across the board.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) eased its restrictions on Russian athletes last year, and several sports have since begun allowing them to compete again. The clearest example of changing attitudes is Russia's award this week of hosting the 2030 World Weightlifting Championships.

- It is probably only a matter of time before this front has completely given way. But it is still depressing to see when it is dismantled piece by piece, says Bo Petersson.

- The war has somehow become everyday. Unfortunately, there are always limits to how long public opinion can hold on to compassion and commitment. There are other issues that call for attention. Then, of course, there is the factor of the United States' actions in the matter in different contexts. It gets extra complicated.

Aleksander Bolshunov applied for neutral status before the Olympics in Italy last winter, but was then rejected. The actions of the Russian Ski Federation may put pressure on Fis to meet him this time. In that case, he would also be allowed to compete at the World Skiing Championships in Falun, which begins in February 2027.

In a sense, the Russian has already been let into the warmth of Fis. His past achievements and rivalry with Norwegian star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo are highlighted in several clips on the association's social media as an advertisement for the upcoming season. Something that was noticed in positive terms by the state-run Russian news agency Tass.

Fis writes in a statement to DN that:

"Fis operates social media channels that are entirely aimed at fans. When interacting with fans, these channels cannot and should not ignore the history of the sport - in this case, the rivalry that largely characterized cross-country skiing for more than a decade. That's all there is to say."

During the autumn, the Russian skaters have been at training camps in Europe, including in Ramsau in Austria. The next list of athletes who will be allowed to compete this winter is expected to arrive in early November. Should Bolshunov be on it, it would be a feather in Russia's cap.

- Considered as an individual victory, it may not be that big, but it can be like one in a row of many pinpricks. As a partial victory on a symbolic level, it is important, says Bo Petersson at Malmö University.