ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober spoke out on Monday evening against the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes due to the Ukraine conflict.
“We at the Austrian Ski Association think it’s good how the IBU, the International Biathlon Union, thinks it is. That means under a neutral flag, no nation points, but still being able to start, because the athletes can’t really do anything about it. You are also involved in this family, that would be our approach, but now we will see how the FIS reacts – so everything is possible up to the point of exclusion,” said the Salzburg resident on the private broadcaster Servus TV.
The ÖSV President, who was “shocked” by the Russian attack on Ukraine, advocates a start permit, but under a neutral flag without nation points and without anthems. A few hours before Stadlober’s statements, the IOC had recommended that world associations and organizers of sporting events no longer allow athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus to take part in international competitions.
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