Supervisor Master KAMAZ Vladimir Chagin told that foreign rivals recognize the superiority of the Russian racing team, and also called on Russians to refuse to participate in competitions under the conditions offered on the international stage.
The Russian team announced last week that it would not take part in the Dakar rally marathon, considering itself unable to sign the International Automobile Federation (FIA) questionnaire condemning the Russian special operation in Ukraine. The signature of this document is obligatory for the admission of Russian riders to the competition.
– It’s nice to see that there is no indifferent position. We found ourselves for the first time in unprecedented conditions and we have to make a decision. In order for KAMAZ-master to participate in Dakar, which will be held in January, all Russian participants must sign a special document from the International Automobile Federation, in which they condemn the special operation, they are only allowed to compete in a neutral status, without flags or symbols. We believe that the content of the document is purely political in nature and will violate the equal rights of athletes. We have decided not to sign such a document and not to participate in the Dakar.
There was internal communication within the team. As team leader, I studied the opinion of the guys and approved the position of the management of our factory.
It is not necessary to loosen the sports ranks of our country, no one needs to participate in such conditions. In most Olympic and non-Olympic sports, we are the strongest. While this period is so difficult, more attention must be paid to the quality of Russian championships and cups, so that our athletes do not lag behind in development.
Over the past few months, at our level, normal communication has been established between the athletes, everyone is treated with respect and understanding. They admit we will miss KAMAZ-master, we are a top team. There was even a saying that the Russian “KAMAZ master” can only be defeated if he does not participate. We all see and understand that the international federations are under pressure, and they pass this pressure on to the organizers of the competition, – said Chagin on the air of the program “There is a theme!” on MatchTV.
Earlier, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, said that Russian athletes who do not support the special operation in Ukraine should be able to participate in international competitions in a neutral status.
Source : MatchTV
