Turin 2006 Olympic champion cross-country skier Yevgeny Dementiev voiced his opinion on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations on allowing Russian athletes to compete in international events with neutral status and many restrictions. Dementiev’s words quoted DEA News.
“Our institutions must work to protect the rights of athletes. Impress your own policy, take into account your opinion. It may sound harsh, but Russian skiers at the World Cup have always been second class. It really happened, ”said the champion.
The skier also expressed his sympathy for modern athletes who face many sanctions.
“What if in the days of the USSR someone could not order us to act without a flag? Nobody could. I would not want to be in the shoes of the athletes now. They take away the dream that they went to since childhood, ”said Dementiev.
Previously Vyalbe called athletes traitors who would agree to the terms of the IOC.
Recall that the IOC banned all Russian athletes playing in clubs representing the armed forces (for example, CSKA and Dynamo), as well as supporters of the Russian special operation in Ukraine from participating in the competition.
Also, not all Russian athletes from team sports are allowed to participate in international competitions.