Rostovtsev called the removal of Russians in biathlon an anti-Russian campaign

The decision of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) to start the procedure for the removal of the national federation of RUSSIA is based on political motives. This was announced to RBC Sport by the ex-coach of the Russian biathlon team Pavel Rostovtsev.

“Everyone understands that the decision of the IBU Executive Committee has nothing to do with the actions of the Biathlon Union in Russia and with the illegal actions of our athletes. The verdict has no logical explanation and is connected only with political motives, which is another manifestation of the anti-Russian campaign. We need to go to the judiciary and defend the illegality of these decisions,” Rostovtsev said.

Earlier, the Executive Board of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) decided to start the procedure for the removal of the national federations of Russia and Belarus.

The IBU Executive Board, as detailed in the statement, agreed to take additional measures on the basis that the national federations of Russia and Belarus "failed to fulfill their humanitarian obligations in the spirit of the IBU constitution."

The Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) has filed an appeal with the COURT of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge the decision of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) to remove Russian athletes from competition.

Pavel Rostovtsev is a Russian biathlete, silver medalist of the 2006 Olympic Games, three-time world champion, six-time silver medalist of the world championships. From 2011 to 2014 - coach of the Russian women's biathlon team.