Athletistic/Others. World indoor triple jump champion Yolanda Chen expressed her opinion in an interview with Match TV, saying that foreign athletes would not follow the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and refuse to participate in the Friendship Games in Russia.

On Tuesday, the IOC released a statement calling on athletes and governments to refuse to participate in the Friendship Games in Russia.

– It’s just pressure. It was obvious that the IOC was simply panicking at the idea that the Friendship Games could become an alternative to the Olympic Games. Everyone knows the financial capabilities of Russia and the favorable conditions for organizing competitions. Foreign athletes are familiar with organizing events in our country, such as the Olympic Games in Sochi and the World Football and Athletics Championships. Visiting Russia is profitable and prestigious for them.

The Friendship Games are large-scale competitions that frighten the IOC. However, foreign athletes will not be intimidated, since most European countries are democratic. In a democracy, you cannot prevent anyone from attending an event. I am sure that foreign athletes will not pay attention to this and will take advantage of their right to participate in the Friendship Games. If the IOC continues to threaten, athletes could seek protection of their rights in court. The IOC risks finding itself in an unpleasant situation. Everything will be fine, because the athletes will act as they wish,” Chen emphasized in an interview with Match TV.

The Friendship Games will take place from September 15 to 29 in Moscow and Yekaterinburg.

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