The Olympic champion in gymnastics does not want to see the athletes of the aggressor country in Paris 2024.
Oleg Vernyaev spoke strongly against the entry of Russian athletes into the Olympics. The Ukrainian Olympic champion believes that the IOC cannot select athletes from aggressor countries who will not support Putin’s policy, because they are in the majority. He also admitted that he would not be able to stand next to the Russians on stage, let alone listen to their song.
“For me, Russians don’t exist. If we meet on the platform, I won’t shake hands and say hello. For me, these people don’t exist. I don’t want to see them anymore.
The Olympic Committee determined three conditions for the entry of Russian athletes: first, a neutral flag; second, those who did not support the war would be accepted; third, they must pass doping control.
If the committee strictly monitored those who spoke in interviews or at events in support of the war and then disqualified them, maybe it would work. But all these Russians support the war.
Everyone shouts: “Putin, hurrah!” There are almost no normal athletes who do not support the war, only a few. Therefore, I believe they have no place in these games.
I don’t know how Ukrainians and Russians can stand on the same pedestal in the same room. If I was on the podium and I knew the Russian won, I would have left before the Russian anthem was played.
It will be morally difficult for any Ukrainian athlete, but some are still silent,” said Vernyaev in an interview with the Kyiv Post.
Recall that earlier the IOC advocated the disqualification of Russians and Belarusians from international competitions.
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Source: korrespondent
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
