The International Ski Federation released a statement this morning regarding Alexander Bolshunov’s disqualification in the Lahti, Finland 4 x 7.5 k relay for “unsportsmanlike conduct”.
This linked article written earlier this month considers the pathway to sanctions in cases like a physical altercation at a FIS race. Below is the FIS statement in its entirety.
*Decision of Ethics and Compliance Commissioner on Alexander Bolshunov*
The FIS Council assigned an Independent Ethics and Compliance Commissioner to further investigate the case at the end of the Cross Country Relay at the Lahti Games involving Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) and Joni Mäki (FIN).
After reviewing all the facts, the Commissioner determined that Alexander Bolshunov will have a probationary period lasting through the next five FIS Events (FIS World Cup and FIS World Championships only).
If there is no further unsportsmanlike conduct involving the athlete at the next five events, no further action will be taken. However, if there is an incident, the athlete will be suspended for two consecutive World Cup Cross-Country events, with additional sanctions possible, depending on the nature of the infraction.
Jason Albert
Jason lives in Bend, Ore., and can often be seen chasing his two boys around town. He’s a self-proclaimed audio geek. That all started back in the early 1990s when he convinced a naive public radio editor he should report a story from Alaska’s, Ruth Gorge. Now, Jason’s common companion is his field-recording gear.
