Head of the KAMAZ-master racing team Vladimir Chagin said that the document that had to be signed to participate in the Dakar Rally marathon was contrary to the civic principles of the athletes, the Russians would not participate in the race under such conditions.
The Russian team announced on Wednesday that it would not participate in the rally-marathon, considering itself unable to sign the questionnaire of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) condemning the Russian special operation in Ukraine. The signature of this document is compulsory for the admission of Russian riders to participate in the Dakar.
– Not only the KAMAZ-master team refused, not only motor sports, but also many Olympic and non-Olympic sports find themselves in a situation where, in order to participate in international competitions, international federations impose the obligation to sign a document where we must condemn the special operation, prove that we are not on the side of our president, but on the side of the international federation which supports Ukraine.
Of course, we will not sign such a document. It is contrary to our civil principles and unacceptable to us. We will not take part in the Dakar under such conditions. We have been communicating since July with the hope that the situation will improve, but nothing has changed. We can all only regret that politics is intertwined with sport in our time,” Chagin said on the air of the program “There is a theme! on MatchTV.
Chagin also said that he would do his best to create a new Silk Road that would be of interest to participants.
– Now it is very important for all Russian athletes not to lose their level, not to stop their development. All military conflicts have ended, and these will end. When we meet in international competitions, we must also win.
It is important to hold both the Russian Championship and the Silk Way Rally, which will be held next year in July. His presentation will take place in October. As the head of this project, I will do everything to make the course new, interesting, popular with Russian participants and all others who come to the race, – added Chagin.
Crews Master KAMAZ 19 times became the winners of the marathon rally. The Dakar 2023 will take place in Saudi Arabia from December 31 to January 15.
Source : MatchTV
