With the Arctic Winter Games International Committee suspending Team Yamal from all activities earlier this month, the future of the Russian delegationSA国际影视传媒檚 participation is still uncertain.

The GamesSA国际影视传媒� international committee officially barred Yamal from the AWG program on March 1 with immediate effect, citing the SA国际影视传媒渁ttacks unfolding in Ukraine.SA国际影视传媒� The suspension was announced through a press release issued by Moira Lassen, the international committeeSA国际影视传媒檚 operations co-ordinator.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Arctic Winter Games International Committee is deeply concerned regarding the ongoing events in Ukraine and the grave impacts on human life,SA国际影视传媒� stated John Flynn, president of the international committee. SA国际影视传媒淲e join our global partners in calling for peace.SA国际影视传媒�

The news release did not make clear how long the suspension would last, but presently it means that Yamal will not be part of the 2023 AWG in Fort McMurray, Alta., in January. There was also no indication as to the status of YamalSA国际影视传媒檚 scheduled hosting of the AWG in 2026 after the international committee awarded it to the Russian region in fall 2020.

Lassen said the international committee was unable to comment on either the timeline or the status of YamalSA国际影视传媒檚 hosting.

NNSL media reached out to Yana Vrublevskaya, Team YamalSA国际影视传媒檚 assistant chef de mission, more than a week ago and she replied to questions in an e-mail on Thursday morning.

SA国际影视传媒淭eam Yamal does understand the decision of the (international committee),SA国际影视传媒� she said when asked about the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 official position on the suspension. SA国际影视传媒淲e sincerely hope the current international situation will be settled and relations between our countries will be restored.SA国际影视传媒� 

Yamal has been a part of the AWG since 2004 and has competed in events such as as figure skating, biathlon and Arctic sports over that time.

Vrublevskaya said the team has made plenty of friends with every jurisdiction and is hopeful those friendships can continue.

SA国际影视传媒淲e shared our experience and learnt a lot from each other,SA国际影视传媒� she wrote. SA国际影视传媒淲e are open for further cooperation with the (international committee) and the AWG contingents. We believe we are still united in our intentions to develop sport in the remote northern communities, to encourage healthy way of living among the youth and to save the heritage of Indigenous peoples of the Arctic.SA国际影视传媒�

Vrublevskaya did not directly address the question about the future of YamalSA国际影视传媒檚 scheduled hosting of the AWG in 2026, nor did she mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine.