Norwegian Bjoerndalen hoped for the return of Russian biathletes to tournaments
Eight-time Olympic champion Ole Einar Bjoerndalen appreciated the removal of Russian biathletes from international tournaments. His words are reported by VG.
“I hope that the conflict will end as soon as possible, that everything will normalize again and that Russians and Belarusians will have the opportunity to compete,” said the Norwegian. Bjoerndalen, who currently lives with his wife, three-time Olympic champion Daria Domracheva in Belarus, stressed that one should not wait for athletes to be allowed on the world stage until the end of the conflict due to the position of the International Biathlon Union (IBU).
Russians and Belarusians did not participate in international tournaments in the 2022/2023 season by decision of the IBU. The order came into force in March 2022 and will remain in effect until further notice.
At the end of February 2022, most sports organizations suspended Russians and Belarusians from tournaments on the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee.
Source: Lenta
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