Norwegian journalist Jan Petter Saltvedt published a critical article after the victory of Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov in the skiathlon at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. It is available on the NRK website.
Saltvedt wrote that the Russian could win all the medals at these Games, but in fact he was not supposed to compete due to doping scandals involving the Russian team. “The smiling Russian, according to the tradition of all the winners, finished with a margin, waving the flag. But it was not the Russian tricolor – it was the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). The Russians and the IOC are working closely to change the boundaries. This little theater is a parody of the verdict,” said Saltvedt.
On February 6, Bolshunov won the skiathlon. His advantage over the closest rival was one minute and 11 seconds. At a press conference after the race, the athlete was asked about the use of prohibited drugs. The Russian called the question ugly and advised journalists to come to his training.
Bolshunov’s gold in the skiathlon is the first for the Russian team since the Olympics in Turin in 2006. The skier himself became the Olympic champion for the first time in his career.
Domestic athletes compete under the flag of the ROC. The tricolor and the national anthem were banned due to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions.
Source: Lenta
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
