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SVT Sport has been trying for several days to get an interview with Damberg about how crown restrictions affect sporting events. The Home Secretary is now answering some questions, in relation to a visit to Angered.
– The ban on entry into Europe is not a Swedish decision. It is a joint decision within the EU, the Interior Minister tells SVT.
The EU travel agency stops trips that are deemed unnecessary. IBU International Biathlon Federation decided on Saturday to move the World Cup competitions in Östersund from December 3-6. Instead of holding the first four competitions of the season in four different venues, the four competitions will only take place in Finland’s Kontiolahti and Austria’s Hochfilzen.
On Monday, the Swedish Biathlon Federation held a live broadcast due to the IBU’s decision.
– We wanted to convey to the government that professional athletes should be seen as other professionals and should be able to make exceptions to the entry ban that prevails in certain countries and nationalities, says Rikard Grip, general secretary of the Biathlon Federation.
Mikael Damberg believes that the government has tried to address the issue of the travel ban at the European Commission in an attempt to find a solution that member states support.
Why can’t professional athletes be seen as professionals like anyone who can be exempt from entry?
– It can definitely be debated, but then we have to do it in Europe as a whole because it is a national ban that applies to the entire EU. That is why it is important for the European Commission to address this issue, we believe, says Damberg.
Watch the full interview with Damberg in the player above.
