Andriy Shevchenko: "Russians and Belarusians should not participate in sports competitions"

Former Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine forward Andriy Shevchenko has called for the exclusion of representatives of Russia and Belarus from sports competitions.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak about Ukraine. The situation has not changed - the war is ongoing, and people are dying day after day, children are dying. It is really difficult, but I am very proud of my country and my people. I am proud of the army and the way it fights and defends my country. How Ukraine is fighting for democracy.

I have clearly stated my position from the very beginning of the war: no Russian or Belarusian athlete should take part in any sporting events, whether Olympic or not, anywhere in the world until the war is over. And this is a principle.

Why is it a principle for me and not for everyone else? While we are talking, they are killing my compatriots, killing children. We are fighting for our survival, for the preservation of the name of Ukraine, our identity and our language," L'Équipe quoted Shevchenko as saying.