Former world number nine Andrei Chesnokov described Ukrainian tennis player Lesya Tsurenko’s statements that Russian and Belarusian athletes should watch the Olympic Games on television as a provocation; The athlete also said that athletes from Russia should refuse to participate in the Games. His words guide the way TASS.
“These statements are a real provocation and nonsense. In general, Tsurenko’s statements should be divided into two. I remember when I was coaching Lena Vesnina and looking at Tsurenko’s training, she told me that she was trying a new racket and everything was going very well for her. Then they told me that he lied to me and that he always lied to someone,” Chesnokov said.
On December 8, the International Olympic Committee allowed athletes from Russia to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games with neutral status. Acting Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvey Bedny condemned the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to admit Russian athletes to the Olympics. He also stated that the decision on Ukraine’s participation in the competition will be made later.
It was initially reported that eight Russians and three Belarusians received licenses for the Games, but on December 13 the IOC press service corrected this data. Now the organization’s website says that six Russian and five Belarusian athletes have won quotas for the Olympics. In the same message, the IOC emphasized that “no flags, anthems or any symbols of Russia or Belarus will be flown at the Olympic Games” and “no government officials from Russia or Belarus will be invited to the Games.”
Previously Tsurenko stated About the fear after matches against the Russians.