The Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova, urged not to call Russian athletes traitors who could potentially agree to fulfill the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for admission to competitions.
“I wouldn’t call our athletes traitors ahead of time. Nothing has happened yet. No one agreed and they are already branded. This is not true!
I think we need to start with precedent. It is unlikely that anyone will accept such conditions, ”reports Zhurova. sports24.
At a meeting of the IOC executive committee on March 28, it was recommended that the Russians be allowed a neutral status if the athletes did not actively support the hostilities. Athletes representing law enforcement and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
Recall that at the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee made an appeal to international sports federations and advised not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in any competitions.
Kirill Yashenkov, former Vice-President of the Russian Rugby Federation (RFR) commented The decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to allow Russian athletes competing in team sports to participate in international competitions.