Oleksandr Gorenyuk, People’s Deputy of Ukraine from the Servant of the People party, summarized in his social networks the importance of local athletes performing on the international stage together with Russians and Belarusians.
“The decision to ban our athletes from participating in competitions where Russians and Belarus are represented needs to be reconsidered. By waving our flags in the international sports arena, they are doing what no one else can.
In world sports, we must work not against our athletes, but against the Russian lobby! Gorenyuk wrote that officials should go to international tournaments to speak on the spot and explain why Russians and Belarusians should not be allowed.
Recall that on February 28, 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made an appeal to sports federations and recommended that domestic and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in any competitions.
At the IOC executive committee on March 28, it was recommended to allow Russians and Belarusians to have a neutral status, if the athletes are not actively engaged in supporting hostilities. Athletes representing law enforcement and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
Former Olympic champion Teresa Johaug He admitted that he felt sorry for the Russian skiers.