As in Wimbledon: Italy's government wants to exclude Russians from the tournament in Rome
Wimbledon as a role model: Because of the attack on Ukraine, the Masters tournament in Rome, which begins on May 2nd, is also to take place without tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus.
by SID
last edit: Apr 22, 2022, 01:26 pm
The Italian government is putting pressure on the organizers, the Milan daily Corriere della Sera reported. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who has repeatedly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is determined to use all his influence to ban Russian and Belarusian professionals, they say.
The President of Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malago, advocates a ban which he says is in line with the IOC's decision on individual sports. Secretary of State for Sport Valentina Vezzali stressed that Italy stands by Ukrainian athletes and adheres to the decisions of the IOC and international federations. The exclusion of Russian players like Daniil Medvedev for Wimbledon had divided the tennis world.