Svetlana Zhurova on political pressure shaping athletes’ voices

State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova has voiced concerns about the pressures shaping how foreign athletes discuss competition with Russian counterparts. She argues that political forces push some athletes to publicly oppose or downplay competition with Russians, suggesting that social media posts and public statements are being dictated rather than freely expressed. According to Zhurova, this dynamic creates a climate where athletes feel compelled to align with a narrative that separates them from their Russian peers, under the impression that dissenting voices would invite backlash or penalties. Yet she also stresses that such pressure will not erase Russia from the arena of international sport. The broader point she makes is about manipulation and control: athletes are believed to be placed in positions where their voices are governed by external agendas, not by personal conviction or sporting integrity.