Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko responded to deputies’ request to support the boycott of the Olympic Games by Russian athletes with a rude refusal on July 14, speaking at the “Knowledge” conference at the VK Fest.
“Several deputies called me and told me, support me so that our athletes don’t go. I sent them into space, these deputies. He said: you take the place of the athlete. You sit down, it’s a different job, but you also plow every day.”– Plushenko said.
The famous figure skater justified his words by the fact that the Games are held every four years, which can be critical for athletes who will not make it to the next Olympics. He also expressed his belief that even without official attributes, Russian athletes will be recognizable and those who wish to will be able to support them.
It should be recalled that for admission to the 2024 Paris Olympics, special quotas were created for athletes from Russia and Belarus, which do not allow the participation of outstanding athletes. In addition, a Russian athlete who has exceeded the quota will have to condemn the foreign policy of his country, which is conducting a special operation, and also refuse to wear any symbols of Russia during the competition.
It should be noted that a number of Russian athletes who were allowed to participate in the Games rejected the humiliating conditions of the IOC. The boycott of the Olympic Games was supported by a number of deputies of the State Duma, including previously famous Russian athletes.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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