Olympic champion Alexey Mikhailichenko commented on the IOC's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris Olympics.
Oleksii Mykhailichenko (photo: O. Ustymenko)- I am outraged that the Russians and Belarusians were allowed to participate in the Olympics! I believe that there is no neutral flag. Everyone knows that it is the flag of Russia. Ukraine should definitely go to the Olympics, but not to compete with the Russians and Belarusians. We shouldn't be on the same court or treadmill with them. Not all international federations have allowed Russians to participate in the Olympics. If we don't go, only the Russians will benefit, and we will lose. Sports, business, economy, and politics are all interconnected. Ukraine must once again show the world that it stands up to the aggressors.
I am a member of the NOC and I have always expressed my position that Russians should be removed from all sectors: sports, culture, economy, etc. Russians are killing Ukrainian children, and they are given platforms for performances. They have no moral right to perform anywhere. This is nonsense!" said Mikhailichenko.
