Lidia Ivanova, two-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, described the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendation against Russian athletes as insulting.
On March 28, IOC President Thomas Bach recommended at the organization’s executive committee meeting that Russians should be allowed to participate in international tournaments only as neutral athletes and only those who do not speak openly in support of the IOC. It is not affiliated with Ukraine and its national security services or armed forces.
“I understand today’s athletes – many people have such preparation when you are ready to show everything you can do, this happens once in a lifetime. I understand all this, but in my heart I cannot accept such humiliation. Shall we crawl into these competitions on our stomach? I do not agree with such advice.
I want our athletes to take part in the Olympics and only he will benefit from it. I think Thomas Bach also understands that we need Games with the strongest athletes in the world, but I cannot accept these conditions for my character, ”says Ivanova “Match TV”.
It was also stated that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be represented in team sports.
Vendant Patel, Former Assistant Secretary of State for the US Department of State expressed concern Russian athletes were allegedly linked to the military.