Russian State Duma deputy Nikolai Valuev said that athletes who decided to change their sports citizenship should not return “Sports Express”.
“Let them go, but don’t come back. The choice is theirs. We won’t wait back. Do we really need people who want to sit on all the seats? Difficulties define people. Let them go and demonstrate. Irreversibly,” Valuev said.
At the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) appealed to international sports federations, recommending that Russian and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in any competitions.
The IOC had previously announced six quotas for Russians to compete in the Olympic Games. The organization said Russian athletes will be required to sign updated terms of participation, which include a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter, including the “peaceful mission of the Olympic movement”. Russian athletes who rank well in their own disciplines will be allowed to compete.
Formerly Swedish skier criticized We will organize the tournament without the Russians.