Athletistic/ Others. Acting President of the All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA) Irina Privalova commented on an open letter from Olympic high jump champion Maria Lasitskene to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.

“I think it’s a cry from the heart. How will the IOC react to this cry from the heart? Unfortunately, I cannot predict the future. Bach was supporting Russian athletes? Now the situation is such that even if a person supports Russia, it is difficult for him to talk about it publicly. Perhaps it will cause him personal harm. Time will put everything in its place,” Privalova said.

Maria Lasitskene in her letter called Thomas Bach the main culprit for the withdrawal of Russian athletes from international competitions.