At an extraordinary board meeting today Ski Classics together with the remaining events this winter has decided to not allow Russian or Belarusian athletes to compete in the last five events of the tour in order to oppose the war in Ukraine. 

Since before Challenger events taking place in Russia have lost their Ski Classics Challenger status.

“The unjustified war in Ukraine makes it impossible for us as a sport organisation where values are our fundament not to act. To ban athletes from Russia and Belarus is also a way to protect all other athletes and not to put them in difficult situations on our start fields and podiums. It is also not possible to guarantee the safety for the Russian and Belarusian athletes at our venues in the current situation. But most important for us is to do our share, as small as we might be, in order to mark and stand against what we believe is wrong.” David Nilsson CEO Visma Ski Classics 

Ski Classics continue to carefully follow the situation for further actions.