Dmitry Vasiliev, two-time Olympic champion in biathlon, shared the opinion put forward by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the conditions for admission of Russian athletes to international tournaments.
“You cannot accept such humiliating conditions! There was a similar situation four years ago – Russia was unfairly declared the main villain in doping. Now we already understand that this is preparation.
There is nothing to do there for the security of our delegation, there will be provocations. Now I have no doubt that Russian athletes will be sued there. Then the meaning of the trip to the Olympics is often lost. Why? Without anthem, without a flag, to be humiliated so that they can sue?
But the main issue is security. Who can provide that in Paris?” – quotes Vasiliev’s words “Sport Express”.
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.
It was also stated that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be represented in team sports.
Bach also said that the issue of admitting Russians to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris has been postponed for now.
Former Russian skier Veronika Stepanova criticized IOC for the criteria for the admission of Russians to international competitions.