“You’ve been chasing this dream for 10-15 years, but they say, ‘You can’t!’” — Morgunov on his ineligibility for the 2020 Olympics

Silver medalist at the European Pole Vault Championships Timur Morgunov Speaking on ‘s “Above Olympus,” he admitted he was disappointed not to be granted neutral status to perform at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Morgunov is in a relationship with track and field athlete Polina Knoroz, who also specializes in pole vaulting. The 27-year-old is a four-time Russian champion.

— The competition is already over. I see that Polina [Кнороз] crying. I was scared. I thought something had happened. She came and said I [в World Athletics] have not achieved neutral status. At first it was very disappointing. You, relatively speaking, have been chasing this dream for 10-15 years, but when it’s in front of you, they say, “You can’t!”

After the Tokyo Olympics, I was very happy that I got the neutral status. I realized that as an athlete I was now free, that what I dreamed of as a child would come true: I would travel all over the world, compete, see the world and enjoy it. I went to tournaments and thought: “At least I’m not screwing this up! At least show a decent result!”

At the 2024 Olympics, I will probably watch all the events, since I am interested in athletics. The guys there are very strong, they show inhuman results,” Morgunov said on the air of the program “Above Olympus.” Athletics” on .

Russian track and field athletes have been suspended from international competitions due to the situation in Ukraine by decision of the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics).

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