Italian fencer Milanoli called shameful attitude towards Russian athletes

At the international sports forum “Russia – a sports power”, which takes place in Kemerovo from September 27 to 30, the champion of the 2000 Olympic Games in fencing, Italian Paolo Milanoli spoke about the attitude towards Russian and Belarusian athletes in Italy.

“When they ask me about my nationality, I say:” Athletic “. Because all together – we are the greatest nation on earth, a nation that transcends states, a nation without discrimination. Throughout my career until winning medals, I wondered what sport means, and found this answer for myself. It is an extraordinary metaphor for life, the most powerful tool for self-expression, and it is also responsible for spreading sports values.”

But, unfortunately, I must say that today these values ​​are distorted and trampled on. The international sports institutions have failed in their task. When I hear them speak on my behalf, I shudder and feel ashamed. Today, Olympians and Paralympians have been deliberately robbed of the dream of the life they have worked for. Now I must say that this is unacceptable, I want to say that we, the athletes, should be part of a single team, it seems to me that Russia has already understood this. I would like to address the Russians and Belarusians: the decisions taken against you are a disgrace. All Italian athletes with whom I spoke agree with me. We must stay and fight with you so that this does not happen again,” Milanoli quotes a speech at the plenary session of the TASS forum.