Vjalbe made her statement in an interview with the Russian server sport24.
“Everyone has the right to a say and have the right to say it. But when one sees Norka (Therese Johaug) embracing Natalia Nnyaevya, and then says in an evening interview that she doesn’t want the Russians to race … It is clear that the management has ordered her to say so, “said Vjalbe.
You know others about yourself, Elena Valbe. Therese Johaug – Against Russian claim https://t.co/7SjLr1feHe
— ???????? Tor Ystein Skog ???????? Tor Ystein Skog (@SkogYstein) March 28, 2022
She bumped into an interview with Johaug for NRK television after the race in Lahti, where Russian skiers last raced. Subsequently, they moved to Norway, where he refused to allow them to start first the local ski association and then the international federation FIS.
Johaug has already ended a very successful career, so she doesn’t need much to follow anyone’s instructions.
“I have nothing against the (Russian) competitors themselves. At the same time, however, it is not right for them to be allowed to race. Sport has a very high position in Russia, we know that. But what Russia is doing now is absolutely awful, “said the phenomenal Norwegian at the time.
The head of Russian skiing, Jelena Vjalbeová.Photo: @RT_com
Johaug defended Vjalbe through her manager Jörn Ernst.
“Therese was not asked by anyone in the union. She spoke on her own initiative. Exactly the fact that she embraced Nekryayev is proof that there is nothing personal about Russian athletes, but it is an overall attitude to what is happening in Ukraine, “Ernst said.
Vjalbe even identified a specific “culprit” to force Johaug to take her word. According to her, an order came from the head of the Norwegian Association, Erik Röste. “It is clear that the Norwegian storm against us started with a member of the FIS committee. on athletes to refuse to compete with the Russians, “she said with a clear allusion to Röste.
“It is about the Russian invasion of Ukraine that is causing the Ukrainian people unimaginable suffering and the enormous destruction of their country. Russia is now violating international law and doing things we have not experienced here since World War II. It is a completely exceptional situation that calls for exceptional solutions. The sharp reactions of Norwegian athletes are, given what is happening, completely natural and they are definitely not the result of someone ordering them anything, “she rejected the allegations for NRK Röste.
