Armenian Skier Fined at Tour de Ski for Covering the Word “Azerbaijan” on His Uniform

Armenian cross-country skier Mikael Mikaelyan was fined during the Tour de Ski tournament held in Italy after he covered the word “Azerbaijan” on his competition uniform. The incident took place at the start of the event and quickly drew attention within the international winter sports community.

The situation is linked to a sponsorship agreement signed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. The federation has a five-year contract with Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency. Under this agreement, the name “Azerbaijan” is placed on athletes’ uniforms during a number of international competitions, including the Tour de Ski.

During the third stage of the tournament, Mikaelyan, who was representing Armenia, decided to cover the country name on his racing suit with tape. By doing so, he demonstrated his disagreement and protest against the appearance of the word “Azerbaijan” on his uniform.

Event officials stated that altering or covering official sponsor markings on competition uniforms is a violation of the rules. As a result, the Armenian athlete was fined for failing to comply with the competition’s uniform regulations, which require athletes to wear approved gear with all sponsor elements clearly visible.

Commenting briefly on his action, Mikaelyan said, “Why I did this remains between me and the jury.”

The Tour de Ski is one of the most challenging events in cross-country skiing, bringing together top athletes from around the world to compete across several stages. The tournament is closely followed not only for sporting results, but also for issues related to regulations, sponsorship, and athlete behavior.

This incident has sparked discussion among sports observers about the balance between commercial agreements and personal or national views held by athletes. While international sports federations stress the importance of respecting contracts and rules, such cases show how sponsorship requirements can sometimes lead to controversy.

Despite the fine, Mikaelyan continued to compete in the Tour de Ski, keeping his focus on his performance in the demanding international tournament.

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