international judo referee Mikhail Rakhlin told that instead of the athletes, he would agree to go to the Paris Olympics under a neutral flag, if there was such an opportunity.
In March 2023, the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that international federations, if Russians are allowed to start, do so individually, in a neutral status, without participating in team events, and also exclude participation athletes. associated with law enforcement and expressing their support for the SVO. The IOC will make a separate decision on the direct admission of Russians to the 2024 Games in Paris.
The Executive Committee of the International Judo Federation has allowed Russian athletes to participate in competitions in a neutral status. Russian judokas were admitted to the 2023 World Championships in Doha, which allowed them to participate in the qualification for the Paris Olympics.
– If our athletes are not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, can they really have an alternative? They themselves know how to get through this, because the Olympics are the pinnacle of a sports career.
– I completely agree on the Olympics. This is the goal of the athlete, towards which he goes. It will still not be possible to replace it with something equivalent, regardless of the monetary price. Everyone knows that the 1980 Olympics and the 1984 Olympics were inferior, because first some were absent, then others. Many later regretted not being able to participate. To date, there are no such competitions on our planet. They take place every four years – this is important for athletes. When you get there yourself, you feel the atmosphere – everything becomes clear.
I really hope that our athletes will be at the Olympics. If they asked me: “Will you participate in the Olympic Games under a neutral flag?” I would say, “Yes, I will.” You’ve been there all your life, maybe this is your only chance. Therefore, if there is such an opportunity, we have to participate,” Rakhlin told .
The 2024 Olympics in Paris will take place from July 26 to August 11.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
