France: Often on the floor and barred from the beginning service, the 15 Russians competing at the Paris Olympics have an uncomfortable position as” Individual Neutral Athletes” following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russians are divided on whether they should participate in the Summer Games, and some in the Olympic Village opposed. Olympic events are not being broadcast on television in Russia, and some politicians and journalists have even called those who want to engage in Paris criminals. It’s a sophisticated atmosphere for the players, some of them teenagers, to understand and they’re afraid of talking about politics or the battle. ” My community is proud of me, that’s all that things”, said golf player Diana Shnaider.
The 20-year-old previous college person for North Carolina State said it was “amazing” to be at her second Olympics. There are still many citizens from my nation in the goes… I heard words of encouragement today”, she said after winning in Thursday’s semifinals.
Without a Russian symbol, tennis players like Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, and Shnaider are used to speaking to the media and traveling the world. Some seem a little confused. Anzhela Bladtceva, a 19-year-old trampolinist, placed second in her celebration Friday and clutched a stuffed animal as she spoke with media afterward. ” There are so many thoughts, so many people, everyone is so kind and happy and so helpful”, she said.
In the beginning service, negative players were not present, but national delegations floated down the Seine River on a number of ships. ” It’s upsetting that they did n’t let us, but what can you do”? said Bladtceva. Of the 32 “neutral” players in Paris, 17 originally represented Belarus and only 15 represented Russia. Compared to the over 300 Russians who participated in the previous Summer Games in Tokyo, Soviet athletes who served in the military or officially supported the invasion of Ukraine were prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. Russians were also prohibited from participating in group activities by the IOC. Track and field put a cover restrictions in place.
In athletics and exercise, Russia’s team skipped qualifying activities in opposition of being forced to compete as neutrals or to have screening, including checks of their social media. Some players also qualified, accepted their Olympic offers, then withdrew days before Olympics began. It was n’t clear whether they made that decision under pressure.
When a negative athlete gets a gold award, an “anthem” commissioned by the IOC plays: More like the song to an inspirational picture. Their medals do n’t count in Olympics ‘ official table. At least 82 players at the Paris Olympics were born in Russia, including the natural players. That leaves more than 60 competing for different regions. Some people have spent years living overseas or moving overseas as children. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many people have changed their sports allegiances.
Some Ukrainians view alterations of affiliation with fear, too. Olympic gold medalist Olga Kharlan claimed next month that Soviet athletes who had resisted the invasion” should be looked at more”
