The Minister of Sports called accusatory rhetoric against Olympians unacceptable

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin called for respect for Russian athletes who will be able to take part in the Olympics in Paris. In his opinion, each athlete must decide for himself whether he is ready to perform in a neutral status, and “accusatory rhetoric” is unacceptable.

“Today it is especially important to treat each other with respect within the professional sports community; accusatory rhetoric against Russian athletes performing on the international stage is unacceptable. We are a single sports family, at this difficult moment it is necessary to unite and respect those who, through their hard work, have won the right to compete at the Olympics. Everyone has the right to make a decision independently, and we will support this decision,” says Matytsin’s statement (quoted from TASS).

The minister noted that Russian athletes are going to the Olympics to defend not only their sporting honor, but also the honor of their native country, “despite the discriminatory decisions of the International Olympic Committee.” According to Mr. Matytsin, it is important to demonstrate “an example of consolidation, and not give a reason for disunity” in conditions when Russia is “the gaze of the entire world sports community.”

The President of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Irina Viner, previously called the athletes who decided to go to the Games a “team of homeless people.” According to her, speaking in a neutral status is humiliating. She was supported by the President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov, he named Russian Olympians in a neutral status by a “team of foreign agents.”

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov after these statements saidthat Russian athletes can independently decide to participate in the Olympic Games. According to him, those who are ready for this should participate in the Games in Paris.

The first racket of Russia and the fourth racket of the world Daniil Medvedev, commenting words of Mrs. Wiener, said that he would be happy to perform at the Olympic Games in Paris if he is allowed to compete. Honored coach of the USSR in figure skating Tatyana Tarasova called the words of Mrs. Wiener and Mr. Pozdnyakov are offensive, ugly and unfair.

About plans for the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympics – in the Kommersant publication “The archers changed their target”.

Leonid Uvarchev