Olympia 2024: Elina Svitolina calls for another ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes
Top Ukrainian player and tennis mom Elina Svitolina is clearly in favor of another ban for Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympic Games.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit: Feb 01, 2023, 07:31 pm
Elina Svitolina, wife of the French crowd favorite Gael Monfils, and herself an absolute top player on the WTA tour, spoke out on a statement by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC is said to be considering reintegrating Russian and Belarusian athletes into the Olympic Games - and that already for the 2024 Games in Paris.
On Wednesday, the tennis mother wrote her anger from her soul in clear words on her Instagram account: “The Olympic Games are the greatest dream and the greatest privilege for athletes. They are the greatest platform for inclusion and diversity in sport, the attracted the attention of the whole world. In this sense, we must stick to banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating."
Horrible fate of a 22-year-old athlete
"We must send a strong message worldwide that we are united in the sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and that there are consequences for the heinous actions of their governments. Their lives cannot go on as normal, and the world, as well as the Russian and Belarusian people cannot ignore the atrocities they are committing in Ukraine."
Svitolina seems to have been motivated by the fate of a Ukrainian track and field athlete, adding to her statement: "Volodymyr Androshchuk, one of Ukraine's rising stars, was unfortunately killed in action. He will never fulfill his potential or dreams at the Games." The only 22-year-old national athlete died in combat near Bakhmut last weekend.
The Ukrainian concludes by saying: "So why should Russian and Belarusian athletes get their chances when their governments are depriving innocent people and athletes of their chances?" The 28-year-old from Odessa had won the bronze medal at the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo (the games had to be postponed by a year due to Covid-19).