Chikunova responded to Vaitsekhovskaya, who said she did not want to support her

World swimming record holder Evgenia Chikunova who refused to go to the 2024 Olympics, said in an interview with that she was now much less affected by criticism from journalists and pundits.

Chikunova has decided not to participate in the Paris Olympics, as she considers unacceptable the admission conditions proposed by the international federation World Aquatics for obtaining neutral status. Olympic diving champion Elena Vaitsekhovskaya wrote about this on the Telegram channel: “You stop supporting Chikunova so much that your heart breaks.”

— How much do questions about why you didn’t go to the Olympics bother you? Many people have spoken out, starting with Dmitry Guberniev. I especially remember Elena Vaitsekhovskaya’s phrase: “You stop supporting Chikunova so much that your heart breaks.” Does this bother you?

— Now it affects me much less than at the Tokyo Olympics. Much less!

Of course, one way or another, the information reaches me anyway. I am subscribed to the Telegram channels of Vaitsekhovskaya and Guberniev. It is impossible not to notice their exhaustive statements addressed to me. I watch and read. But what can you do? This is another person’s opinion.

— The Olympic champion says she doesn’t want to support you. Aren’t you boiling?

– Why boil? That’s her opinion. Elena Sergeevna doesn’t want to get sick, which means that those who have emotions towards me will get sick. I’m not going to force her to be enthusiastic about my career. She formed this opinion based on various factors. I respect that.

She is an adult and can decide who to support: me or someone else. I don’t see anything wrong with that. Vaitsekhovskaya is a thought leader and has a popular channel. She can post whatever she wants there. The main thing is that she doesn’t get personal. That’s more important to me. She logically justified her position – no problem,” Chikunova told .

At the Russian Cup final in Yekaterinburg, 19-year-old Chikunova clocked 1:05.26 in the 100-meter breaststroke. She surpassed the feat of South African Tatiana Smith, who won gold at the Paris Olympics in that distance with a time of 1:05.28.

Chikunova will receive 2 million rubles, according to the rules of the Russian Cup final. They are awarded to the athlete who beats the winner of the Olympic Games in the corresponding distance.

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