Armenian cross-country skier 26-year-old Mikayel Mikayelyan has been fined by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) at the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy, after taping over the word “Azerbaijan” on his competition suit, a mandatory sponsor marking tied to a five-year title sponsorship agreement between FIS and Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency, reports Zartonk Media.
In May of last year, FIS signed a five-year contract with Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency, making the country a title sponsor of the Tour de Ski. Under the sponsorship agreement, the name “Azerbaijan” appears on athletes’ uniforms at some international competitions as part of title sponsorship branding, including at the Tour de Ski. Azerbaijan’s branding was also displayed throughout the event, appearing on athletes’ suits as well as on large billboards and other advertising structures along the course and around competition venues.
During the third stage of the tournament, Mikayelyan, representing Armenia, covered the country name on his racing suit with tape. Mikayelyan was born in Ashotsk village of the Shirak Province of Armenia. Reports also state that he taped over the tournament sponsor name as he was about to start.
Officials said altering or covering official sponsor markings on competition uniforms violates the rules. As a result, Mikayelyan was fined for failing to comply with uniform regulations requiring athletes to wear approved gear with sponsor elements clearly visible. The exact amount of the fine has not been made public, and FIS did not disclose the size of the financial penalty.
Mikayelyan declined to provide a detailed explanation for his action and did not comment on his motives beyond a brief remark: “Why I did this remains between me and the jury.”
Mikayelyan confirmed the fine in an interview with NEWS.am Sport. Armenian Ski Federation President Gagik Sargsyan also addressed the incident, emphasizing that the sanction was a fine and not a disqualification. Sargsyan said he would provide further details about the incident on January 5 and planned to address several other issues as well. He added that Mikayelyan decided to cover the sponsor name on his sportswear, leading to the fine from FIS.
FIS’s decision to include the country’s name as part of the official competition suit design has drawn criticism and raised questions among athletes and coaches. Norwegian skier Astrid Øyre Slind, a world champion and Ski Classics series winner, told the Swedish newspaper Expressen that she was surprised by the move, describing it as unusual and saying it raises ethical concerns about such sponsorship arrangements.
Sweden’s national team head coach Anders Byström also expressed reservations, noting that Azerbaijan is associated with controversial issues while acknowledging that influencing the situation within the current competition framework is no longer possible.
In sporting terms, Mikayelyan finished 72nd in the 20-kilometer race, placing ahead of 20 competitors out of the 92 athletes who started.
The Tour de Ski is one of the most demanding events in cross-country skiing, bringing together top athletes from around the world across multiple stages. The incident has fueled discussion among sports observers about the balance between commercial agreements and athletes’ personal or national views. While international sports federations stress the importance of honoring sponsorship contracts and competition rules, cases like this show how mandatory branding requirements can create controversy. Despite the fine, Mikayelyan continued competing and remained focused on his performance.
