Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Dmitry Svishchev believes that it is possible to influence the situation with the withdrawal of Russian athletes from international competitions – this should be done by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The politician announced this during a conversation with .
This spring, the IOC called for the withdrawal of Russian athletes from participating in international competitions. Honored coach of the Russian Federation in figure skating Eteri Tutberidze Sunday offered to freeze the rankings and not award medals until the Russians are admitted.
– And Eteri Tutberidze, and his colleagues in figure skating, who supported this idea, can be understood. And, in fact, this remark and this proposal are quite logical and correct. The only thing I want to add is that all of this should be legit not only to figure skaters, but also to other sports, because Russians are considered the strongest in many sports. How can we play for medals, make world rankings, while competitive athletes are excluded from competitions for artificial and illegal reasons? This is absolutely unfair and dishonest, especially in relation to athletes.
Hiding behind all sorts of slogans, mostly of a political nature, which have nothing to do with sporting life, the withdrawal of our athletes is illegal, and therefore the rankings are illegal and illegitimate. Since the International Federation and the International Olympic Committee have an obligation to defend the interests of the athletes, they must influence this situation, and it is in their power. If there was a will, if these federations and the International Olympic Committee were independent of certain political and financial magnates, then there would be no problems: the guys would participate, the guys would be in the rankings. With a good will to influence this situation, it is possible and necessary. Question: Is there a wish? Svishchev said.
Source : MatchTV
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