Freestyle World Champion Lyubov Nikitin told that she was ready to play under a neutral flag in international competitions if the Russians were allowed in such status.
At the moment, Russian freestylers are suspended from international competitions due to the situation in Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in January that it would consider admitting to world starts neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes who did not actively support the CBO. The head of the organization, Thomas Bach, admitted that Russians could participate in the Paris Olympics without national symbols.
– Of course, I want to go to international competitions – to World Cups, to World Championships, – Nikitina told . – I watched the World Cup and thought: “Oh, but I’m still here in Russia.” But thank God, we have developed alternative competitions in Russia – the Champions Cup, where Belarusian athletes compete against us. This, of course, encourages us. If there were purely Russian departures, that would be quite sad.
– Is it difficult to find motivation in national competitions now?
– To be honest, yes. But we are working on it.
– How do you assess the latest IOC statements that Russians can be allowed into a neutral status?
– For me, this is not the first time, two Olympic Games have already taken place under a neutral status. Or even under a neutral flag, but, of course, I want to perform on the international scene, during major competitions. It doesn’t matter what status we are in. The rivals still know that we are Russian athletes.
Source : MatchTV
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