– I can’t be silent. As an athletic and sane person, I agree that sport goes beyond politics. But we don’t really see it: FIFA and UEFA excluded our teams from all competitions after the International Olympic Committee called on our athletes to stop all sports. Now the International Ice Federation has banned Russians from participating in the competition. This is a big mistake! – he wrote Plushenko on instagram.
Plushenko criticizes sanctions against Russia
The International Ice Federation made a very painful decision for Russia The skaters, among other things, banned his performance at the world championships that will begin on March 21 in Montpellier, France. For years, Russia has been a powerhouse in figure skating. At the Olympic Games in Beijing, she won the team competition, and was the best among the soloists Anna Shzyrpakua.
Sports cannot be mixed with politics, and athletes cannot be punished and deprived of their right to compete. This is absolute discrimination and a direct and serious violation of the rights of athletes. Our snowboarders have proven that they are the best in the world. The interest in skating would not be the same without our competitors. Without it, the value of victories or medals will be reduced, because in many disciplines the best will not be able to compete, says Plushenko who is completely embarrassed.
Yevgeny Plushenko is one of the greatest snowboarders in history. He won Olympic gold in Turin 2006 and Sochi 2014. He has also won silver With Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010. He is also a three-time world champion, seven-time European champion.
Everyone wants peace, and so do I. I really hope that everything will be over as soon as possible and that the negotiations will be fruitful. I believe in our president! I am not a politician, I am an athlete and my goal is to unite people through a love of sports, to overcome political differences – Plushenko concluded his scandalous post.
The world reacts
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, world sport imposed severe sanctions on the Russians. FIFA expelled the Russian national team and clubs from international competitions. A similar decision was made by, among others, FIVB volleyball or the International Ice Hockey Federation. But sanctions also apply to Russians and Belarusians participating in individual sports.
The world federations of athletics, badminton, rowing, rowing and triathlon have decided to completely exclude Russian teams and athletes. On Tuesday, the International Ski Federation (FIS) threw skiers from Russia and Belarus from the competition. It is likely that the Russians would have done more harm – as the words of Plushenko attest – to be excluded from the competition on the ice.
Not all Russian athletes make such shameful statements as Yegwienia Plushenko or hockey player Alexander Ovechkin. The current top Russian tennis player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, apparently distanced herself from Vladimir Putin in an interview with CNN. Anti-war articles were published by tennis players Danio Medvedev and Andrei Rublev. However, most athletes in Russia remain silent.
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