It’s good to hear that Emilien Jacquelin understands it’s better to compete with strong athletes, the two-time Olympic champion told Svetlana Ichmuratova commenting on the appeal of the French biathlete to bring back Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions.
Previously, four-time world champion Jacquelin called for the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions. “From a sporting point of view, I miss the Russians and Belarusians at the World Cup. Without these two leading nations, it’s less attractive. Sport is supposed to promote peace and bring people together. So, in this context, I think it would be good to allow athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Jacquelin told L’Equipe.
– It’s nice to hear when athletes from other countries support us. Of course, only a strong-willed person can openly admit that it is more pleasant for him to compete with the strongest. To develop and grow, you must compete with powerful rivals. The fact that our guys are competing at the world level in biathlon is true. Therefore, of course, without our athletes, the competition is not so interesting. In addition, biathlon has lost a huge audience of Russian fans.
Jacqueline is right. Once again, I am happy to hear such news. But, God forbid, these will not be isolated votes. Nevertheless, at least many world-class athletes from other countries understand in their hearts what is happening, and some are already speaking out. It’s already good. But, of course, I’d like as many athletes as possible to protest that our guys aren’t allowed. And after all, if they do, then with unacceptable criteria, ”Ishmuratova told a correspondent.
On March 28, the International Olympic Committee announced recommendations on the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions. Recommendations include individual clearance, status neutrality, banning team sports, and banning athletes associated with security forces or who have expressed support for the CWO. A decision on the Paris 2024 Olympics will be taken “at the appropriate time”, said the IOC.
Source : MatchTV
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