Overview
- The Athletes for Ukraine group urged Martin Fourcade to end any perceived support for readmitting Russian competitors, arguing that even neutral-status participation aids Russia’s war and breaches the IOC’s peace mandate.
- Fourcade said he is not advocating for a return and explained he only offered to help establish contact with the IOC Athletes’ Commission to support dialogue.
- He asserted he never agreed to act as a mediator, rejecting a claim from Russian Biathlon Union president Viktor Maigurow following a reported videoconference.
- The International Biathlon Union suspended the Russian and Belarusian federations in March 2022 and maintains that the suspension remains in force.
- Fourcade previously said in February 2023 that sport should consider allowing Russians and Belarusians to return, a stance that informs reactions to his recent outreach.