Amid the controversy that surrounds international sports, the Ukranian Gimnasta Oleg Verniaiev He has made one declaration that has generated debate in your country. While most Ukrainians oppose the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions due to the conflict in Ukraine Consider that boycott makes no sense.
“If we win, listen to our anthem”says the 2016 Rio Olympic champion to Championship.com.ua, reports Sportwefakty. “If we are in second or third place, There will be no congratulations or joint photos. If they return to the competition and stay at home, I don’t think it’s correct, “he adds.
Verniaev, born in Donetsk and known for its specialization in parallel barsit has been a Defender of Ukrainian participation in competitionseven if it means Face Russian or Belarus athletes.
Although Verniaev never hid its linguistic closeness with Russia, its loyalty to Ukraine became clear when He enlisted in the Ukrainian army after the beginning of the war in 2022. Despite the indignation in his country for the recent decisions of international federations to allow the reinstatement of Russian and Belarus athletes, the gymnast argues that if they compete, Ukrainians must also be present.
His words, which coincide with the opinion of another Ukrainian gymnast, Chepurnyihighlight the importance of demonstrate the strength and determination of Ukraine in the sports fieldregardless of the adversaries.
In fact, Chepurnyi remembers a recent competition in Baku in which, in addition to him, There was a bellruso among the first three. “I took the medal, I didn’t even hear the anthem (of Belarus) and left the podium. And later, when I won, He listened to the anthem and left before the group photo“He explains.
In this way, both athletes emphasize that The best way to show Ukrainian resistance is precisely.
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