The article discusses the participation of Russian skier Saveli Korosteljov in the Milano-Cortina Olympics, noting his use of ski poles from a Finnish brand, 4Kaadin. Korosteljov, who is 22 years old, has been using these poles for the past two years and expressed satisfaction with their quality. His participation in international competitions was recently permitted due to a thaw in sanctions, as he only became eligible to compete again in December 2022 at the Davos World Cup.

The background reveals that the European Union has imposed export bans on sports equipment to Russia in response to its military actions in Ukraine, which complicates Korosteljov's participation. He indicated that while he had good equipment prior, the availability of better gear from international brands upon entering Europe significantly enhanced his performance. The piece raises questions about the integrity of these bans amid loopholes that may allow Russian athletes to still access top-tier sporting equipment.

The article highlights the problematic nature of EU sanctions, emphasizing how Russia is reportedly using intermediary countries such as Kazakhstan and Turkey to acquire sports equipment, thereby undermining the intended impact of the sanctions. This situation poses a challenge for regulatory bodies aiming to restrict Russia's access to resources while balancing international sports participation among athletes.