Elina opposes competition boycott
Former first racket of Ukraine and UNITED24 platform ambassador Elina Svitolina commented on the situation with the possible return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to world events, including the 2024 Olympics.
In addition, Elina analyzed her attitude to a possible withdrawal from tournaments in which representatives of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus will take part.
“For more than a year, a full-scale war has been going on. But, unfortunately, our Ukrainian institutions have not been able to convince international associations and the tennis community to remove Russian and Belarusian athletes from the tour. By the way, I’m talking about the NOC, and the Ministry of Sports, and the FTU. We, tennis players, have not been able to do this either, although during this time we have repeatedly raised and are raising this issue at different levels. The only thing we have managed to achieve is a sanction with a white flag. Therefore, we must continue to work together and do everything to prevent these athletes from competing in international competitions, and especially at the Olympics.”
“Next, regarding a possible ban. Now the recommendation is as follows: “do not participate in competitions to which Russian and / or Belarusian athletes will be admitted.”
“What does this mean de facto? This means that the careers of all Ukrainian professional tennis players – both adults and juniors – must end. Because if we can’t participate in a tour where countries play under white flags, we have nowhere to play. This is the end. So, tennis should be crossed out as a sport.”
“Let’s say some other international federations make a decision and allow these athletes to compete. As far as I know, now they compete under a neutral flag in tennis, cycling, and last week they were already allowed to fencing. There is no guarantee that tomorrow they will not be allowed to play other sports. What should Ukraine do with the ban on performances for our athletes? Continue to ban? Take away the “weapons” from our athletes?”
“Ask athletes from other sports. What will be their attitude and decision if they find themselves in a situation in which all Ukrainian tennis players find themselves today?”
“Imagine that we are boycotting and withdrawing from tournaments. What’s next? We left, they stayed and continue to win for their countries. We don’t, because we left. Our military would never do that. They are fighting for every inch of our land, for every word, for the opportunity to raise the Ukrainian flag in the liberated Kharkiv region or Donbas.”
“For me, the tennis court is my front. It is there that I always raise the Ukrainian flag, there I talk about the war, about the fact that Russia is a terrorist country. I attract the attention of the whole world exactly where I have a voice and power.
“Believe me, it’s not easy to go on court when an athlete from an aggressor country is playing against you, and you don’t know if he is for the murder of Ukrainians or against? But we are not afraid, we go out on the court to fight and win. For the sake of Ukraine and those athletes who died in the war.”
“Summarizing, I want to say that I have a negative attitude towards bans. I would like us to look for smart solutions even during the war. Because we are the next generation. Because it’s a war of the old and the new. Because we are fighting for democracy and the right to speak. There must be a complete understanding of how a particular sport works, a search for solutions and a clear strategy that will not only help you win today, but will also become the key to future development.”
“According to my estimates, the war has already thrown Ukrainian sports back 10 years. Sports achievements are that part of Ukrainian DNA that is known in the world. And as a Ukrainian and as a tennis player, it really hurts me so that we don’t break this winning code with unbalanced or hasty decisions.”
Jean Beleniuk has a similar position. The Olympic champion of Tokyo 2020 and people’s deputy of Ukraine believes that the decision to boycott the qualifying competitions for the 2024 Olympics, which will be attended by Russian and Belarusian athletes, will deprive Ukrainian athletes of the opportunity to get to the Games in Paris.
Recall that the IOC is ready to consider the possibility of admitting athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions. At the same time, everyone who wishes will be required to act in a neutral status. Also, athletes should not support the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and pass a mandatory doping test.
The IOC believes that a complete ban on the performance of Russian and Belarusian athletes is discrimination and is contrary to the Olympic Charter. The organizers of the 2024 Olympics in Paris said they would adhere to the decision of the IOC to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under a neutral flag.
In addition, at an extraordinary congress of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), it was decided to remove the ban from Russian and Belarusian athletes. The decision comes into force in the second half of April 2023.
Source: Sportarena
I am Ben Stock and I work in Athletistic as an author. My specialty is covering football news and other related topics. I have been writing for this website since the past 2 years, crafting compelling stories with the latest updates in the sports world. My articles have gained widespread appreciation amongst readers due to their accuracy and depth of research.
