FIS announced this weekend, despite holding qualifications for skier cross with just Russians competing, that the World Cup events in Sunny Valley, Russia would finally be cancelled.
They also cancelled all remaining events to be held in Russia including two aerial World Cups, two ski jumping World Cups and one Cross Country World Cup. These will either be cancelled or relocated with a new date and location.
All non Russian competitors had already pulled out of the skier cross event before the FIS stepped in to finally cancel the event in the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Australian Winter Olympian and FIS skier cross athlete Sami Kennedy-Sim posted her disappointment with the sports governing body on Instagram this morning, announcing that she would be pulling out of her competition season with two World Cup stops to go.
They also revealed that the FIS Council would allow Russian athletes to continue to participate in all FIS Competitions. The athletes will continue to compete under their name and the country of Russia, however the FIS flag and FIS anthem will be used in all official capacities, including ceremonies.
Earlier today FIS announced support for Ukraine athletes on the current world tour.
“We have today informed the Ski Federation of Ukraine that FIS will provide immediate financial, logistical, and technical support to our Ukrainian athletes and their teams until such time as they are able to safely return home.
Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and we hope this conflict will come to an immediate end.”
