Dmitry Vasiliev, a biathlon star who has earned Olympic gold twice, spoke to Sports Express about the Paris Games and the controversial line many Russian athletes have faced. In his view, the decision by some to compete in Paris has been a futile exercise, one that could yield little benefit for the athletes who take part and could come at a cost to their dignity on the world stage.
He suggested that the challenge for these competitors would extend beyond the tracks and timing boards. Discrimination could color their participation, and a heavy sense of shame might accompany their presence at the event. The veteran champion underscored a belief that the political and sporting landscapes around the Games would place Russian athletes in a difficult position, regardless of their achievements or credentials.
“If they want to be humiliated, let them go. And they will be humiliated. In my understanding, there is no point in going there. Those who go there need to know what they will encounter there”, Vasiliev stated, framing the controversy as a clash between sport and broader international politics. His remarks reflected a long-standing tension surrounding the participation of Russian athletes in global competitions and the pressure they often face from various sides of the debate.
Back in late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance urging international sports federations to consider excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. The IOC later adopted a policy allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games, a status contingent on meeting specific criteria and qualifying standards set by the relevant federations. The arrangement was intended to separate athletic performance from national affiliation, yet it also generated intense discussion about fairness, national identity, and the integrity of the Games.
A former Russian ambassador to France weighed in on the matter, offering a pointed viewpoint for those contemplating whether to pursue slots at the Paris Olympics. The diplomat warned that athletes should weigh carefully what they might endure, not only in the competitive arena but in the broader, often contentious, international climate that surrounds the Games. The exchange highlighted how the Paris event became more than a sports event; it became a symbol of diplomatic complexities and the way sport can intersect with politics on the world stage.