An Armenian skier was fined for covering up the "Azerbaijan" sign on his suit.

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The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has fined Armenian athlete Mikael Mikaelyan for covering the "Azerbaijan" sign on his suit with tape during the Tour de Ski.

The incident occurred during a stage of the competition in Toblach, Italy. Mikaelyan declined to comment on his motives, and the amount of the fine was not disclosed.

Azerbaijan is a sponsor of the tournament. In addition to the inscription on the athletes' uniforms, advertising boards with a similar inscription are also located along the entire length of the track, Armenia Today reported on January 3.

FIS signed a contract with the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan in May 2025. The placement of the "Azerbaijan" inscription raised questions not only among the tournament participant from Armenia. For example, Norwegian skier Astrid Eyre Slind believes that such a practice appears unusual and raises questions about the ethical aspects of the agreements, Sputnik Armenia reports.

Earlier, "Caucasian Knot" reported that in July 2024, the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sport of Azerbaijan filed a complaint to the International Olympic Committee regarding the words of a French television presenter who mentioned Armenia's loss of Karabakh during the opening of the Olympics.