Armenian Ski Federation President Gagik Sargsyan praised national team leader 26-year-old Armenian cross-country skier Mikayel Mikayelyan after he was fined by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) at the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy, on December 31 for taping over the word “Azerbaijan” on his race suit, sponsor branding tied to a multi-year partnership between FIS and Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency. In a Facebook live broadcast, Sargsyan said Mikayelyan was not disqualified, only fined, and confirmed that the federation will pay the penalty, calling the action a dignified stance. Sargsyan also criticized Azerbaijan’s expanding presence in international skiing, while saying Armenia’s federation has received no financial support from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport for Milan 2026 preparation, despite Mikayelyan and teammates having already secured the ranking points needed for Olympic quota contention.
Sargsyan said he welcomes Mikayelyan’s action and reiterated that the federation will cover the athlete’s fine. He also contrasted Armenia’s lack of state funding for Milan 2026 participation with Azerbaijan’s growing role in hosting major international ski events, despite, as he described it, having no active athletes.
He said Mikayelyan expressed his position “due to certain circumstances” and does not promise he will refrain from repeating the action in future competitions. Sargsyan said there is background to Mikayelyan’s decision.
Sargsyan said that in May 2025, the International Ski Federation announced that Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency would become the main sponsor, with a sponsorship package valued at millions of dollars. He said that under this sponsorship, the name “Azerbaijan” was expected to appear across major, high-profile competitions, including the World Championships and World Cup stages, meaning athletes’ racing tops used at the start would carry the word “Azerbaijan.” He said this development came as a surprise to many, including Armenia’s federation.
He said that during a meeting with the federation’s president, he raised objections to placing such a marking on athletes’ clothing, arguing it is unacceptable from a sporting standpoint because, as he described it, Azerbaijan does not have skiing, does not have federation members, member clubs, or representatives of the sport. He added that Azerbaijan’s federation only recently became a member of the international federation.
Sargsyan said that at the international federation’s congress held in June, the issue of Azerbaijan’s federation moving from candidate membership to full membership was put up for discussion.
He said he requested the right to speak during the congress and addressed a question to Azerbaijan’s federation representative, referencing Azerbaijan’s military aggression against Armenia and stating that the first shells exploded on Jermuk’s ski slopes. He said civilian infrastructure was damaged, including the Jermuk ropeway and the same ski slopes that are registered and certified by the international federation.
He said he deliberately framed the matter as a sporting question, asking whether the Azerbaijani delegation condemns military aggression by any country and the bombing of sports and civilian infrastructure, specifically the bombing of the Jermuk ropeway and ski slopes. He said he asked for a short answer, whether they condemn it or not.
According to Sargsyan, the Azerbaijani representative gave a long response saying they are neighbors and are moving toward peace, but did not provide the direct answer he asked for. He said the international federation’s president intervened and considered the matter closed.
Sargsyan said the question of Azerbaijan’s membership was then put to a vote. He said Armenia voted against it, but Azerbaijan became a full member.
He said that after the congress, World Cup stages began, and Armenia’s federation was surprised to see the word “Azerbaijan” on athletes’ race tops at World Cup events as well. He reiterated his view that Azerbaijan has no connection to skiing and “has nothing,” yet, as he described it, has already gained the right to host World Cup stages and will host a World Championship.
Sargsyan then contrasted this with Armenia’s internal constraints, saying that for years they have asked and pleaded with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport for financial support to participate in the Milan 2026 Winter Olympic Games and have not received a single dram. He said Mikayelyan and his teammates have already secured the ranking points needed for Olympic quota paths, while, in his framing, the neighboring state, despite lacking anything in the sport, is hosting World Cup stages and will host a World Championship. He added that “we must learn from the enemy too.”
Turning back to Mikayelyan’s action, Sargsyan said the athlete expressed his position and was fined after covering the word “Azerbaijan” on his competition clothing with adhesive tape as he went to the start. He said that after the start, Mikayelyan was summoned to a commission, where he explained that he was demonstrating his disagreement in that way.
Sargsyan said the World Cup official told Mikayelyan they understand the Armenian athlete’s position, but that he violated the regulations. He said Mikayelyan stated he does not promise he will not do the same in other competitions, emphasizing that it was not a one-time action.
Sargsyan closed by reaffirming his support and the federation’s position: he said he welcomes Mikayelyan’s step, repeating that no matter how much they fine him, a dignified Armenian remains a dignified Armenian, and that the Armenian Ski Federation will pay Mikayelyan’s fine.
