The Frenchman opposed the Norwegian Ski Federation's decision to refuse participation of athletes from the two countries during the invasion of Ukraine.

He also suggested last September that those athletes could return to FIS competitions by the end of 2022.

"I said something I shouldn't have said," Vion told Nettavisen.

"It was a mistake to say that."

Several athletes, such as Swedes Linn Svahn and Maja Dahlqvist, and Norway's Ragnhild Haga, responded by saying that they would boycott events if Russia and Belarus were allowed back.

One of the FIS' main sponsors, Norwegian retailer Coop, also said it would withdraw funding.

Vion claimed he was only repeating what International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach had said the week prior that sporting organisations eventually had to prepare for Russians to return.

"My wife is Norwegian, so I know that you are sensitive when it comes to this topic," the 63-year-old said.

"But it was not my job to do that."

A week after Vion's statements, the FIS extended the ban on Russia and Belarus until the end of the 2022-2023 season in line with IOC recommendations.

Russia has responded and is organising skiing events outside of the FIS' jurisdiction.

The Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Federation of Russia is planning to host a ski jumping competition with allied nations in March.

President of the Federation Dmitry Dubrovsky, stated that the event, to be called the Copper Mountain Cup, would be in the Sverdlovsk region.