Olympic gymnastics champion Artur Dalaloyan weighed in on the criteria for Russian athletes’ entry into international events and the lack of visible support for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He expressed skepticism about how athletes can influence political matters when they spend most of their time in training halls and competition arenas. He also questioned why political disputes should spill over into sports, pointing out a troubling trend where some international federations ask athletes to declare a political stance. Dalaloyan described that expectation as misguided and unnecessary, noting that sports should remain a arena for competition and personal achievement rather than a battleground for political divides.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has previously indicated that it is examining the possible participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in upcoming Olympic events, while stopping short of endorsing the war effort in Ukraine. Beyond nationality considerations, athletes from these nations must satisfy standard conditions, including compliance with comprehensive anti-doping controls and other eligibility criteria set by the Olympic body and the relevant international federations.
In remarks reported by Der Spiegel, IOC President Thomas Bach explained that Russians and Belarusians could compete in the 2024 Games without a national flag or anthem. He emphasized that the IOC does not support discrimination in sport based on ethnicity or nationality, and that participation should be determined by athletes’ adherence to the rules and the spirit of fair competition.
Oleg Taktarov, a former mixed martial artist and the first Russian to win the Absolute Fighting Championship belt, shared his thoughts on the most recent fight of Fedor Emelianenko, which concluded his professional career against American fighter Ryan Bader. Taktarov offered perspectives on the performance, the competitive landscape at heavyweight, and what Emelianenko’s final bout signifies for the sport in Russia and around the world. He underscored the endurance and discipline required to compete at the highest level and reflected on the changes the sport has undergone since its early days, highlighting how fighters maintain motivation and form through long careers. The broader implications for Russian athletes pursuing international opportunities were also part of the discussion, illustrating how past generations shape the current generation’s choices and opportunities in global competitions.