“They gathered the coaches and athletes, weighed all the risks” – Zhurova about the refusal of archers to participate in the Olympics

Olympic champion Svetlana Jourova told that the Russian Archery Federation weighed all the risks before deciding to refuse to participate in the Paris Olympics.

Earlier, President of the Russian Archery Federation Vladimir Yesheev told that members of the Russian archery team refused to participate in the Olympic qualifying tournaments due to the ban on using the flag and anthem of the Russian Federation. Thus, Russians will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games.

— The President of Russia announced that each federation and each athlete would make their own decision whether or not to go to the Games. I completely agree with this. By tightening the conditions for participation of Russian athletes, they are trying to force one of the country’s leaders to say: “We are not going anywhere.” But that won’t happen.

In addition, any athlete can make their own decision, even if the federation opposes it. Nobody forbids it. But most often, federations discuss it with coaches and athletes, and listen to their opinions. Archers had the same thing. They made this decision collectively. We brought together the technical staff and the athletes and weighed all the risks.

Let’s be clear: none of this is certain. We don’t know exactly what will happen. You saw what a terrible terrorist attack took place in Moscow. Can you imagine what could happen in Paris? — Zhurova told .

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in December 2023 that it would allow Russian athletes who successfully qualified for the 2024 Olympics to have individual neutral status without national symbols. On March 19, it was announced that Russian athletes would not be able to participate in the opening ceremony of the Games. The IOC also said that, according to the most likely scenario, 36 Russian athletes will participate in the 2024 Olympic Games and will have to sign a special document. Athletes’ compliance with the conditions for admission to neutral status will be determined by the commission.

The Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024.