The Latvian skeleton federation is boycotting the world championships in Sochi in February, meaning the world’s best in the sport appears set to skip the biggest competition of the season over Russia’s doping allegations.
Latvian Martins Dukurs has won seven straight World Cup skeleton season titles and four of the last five world championships.
The federation’s Sunday boycott statement was shared by a Facebook account appearing to belong to Dukurs. Dukurs’ father and coach confirmed the boycott, according to Latvian media.
Dukurs was upset for Olympic titles in 2010 and 2014, taking silver behind Canadian Jon Montgomery in Vancouver and Russian Alexander Tretiakov in Sochi.