Russian skier Veronika Stepanova has criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the criteria for Russian athletes to be admitted to international competitions.
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.
The IOC also proposed the creation of commissions on Russian participation in international federations.
“But would you go to hell with all your circumstances and advice, dear IOC?
I will not allow any “international commission” to determine my views and beliefs and decide whether or not they will allow me to participate in the World Cup. In this case, run yourself.
And I can only repeat what I have said for a year: we will overcome all difficulties. Absolutely and without a doubt, ”wrote the athlete telegraph channel.
Stepanova is the Beijing 2022 Olympic champion in the women’s relay. She became the youngest champion of the Games in the history of cross-country skiing (at the beginning Stepanova was 21 years old). She won a gold medal with the Russian team at the World Cup held in Lillehammer, Norway.
Former sports announcer Dmitry Guberniev he answered sharply To the words of the President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, Elena Vyalba, on the neutral status of the Russians.