Saint Petersburg– Russian swimming big name Kliment Kolesnikov is all about triumphing Olympic medals — however never costs.
The arena document holder within the guys’s 50m backstroke has vowed to sit out the Paris games over the “unacceptable” situations imposed on Russian competition due to the assault on Ukraine.
The international Olympic Committee (IOC) stated this month athletes from Russia and its best friend Belarus could be capable of compete in Paris as neutrals, outdoor of team occasions and so long as they did not actively guide the campaign in Ukraine.
“At this time, under the modern-day conditions, it is unacceptable for me” to participate in the 2024 video games, Kolesnikov advised AFP in an interview on the sidelines of a current swimming competition in Saint Petersburg.
“The dream of an Olympic gold medal stays, but i am no longer unhappy approximately now not being capable of go,” stated the 23-12 months-vintage, who gained bronze within the 100m freestyle and silver within the 100m backstroke at the 2020 Tokyo games.
The IOC says there are currently simplest 11 athletes — eight Russians and three Belarusians — who have qualified for the Olympics that meet the above criteria. around 60 Ukrainians have certified.
Moscow has denounced the “discriminatory” conditions but has not but determined whether or not it might recommend that its athletes go to Paris or alternatively call on them to stay domestic.
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‘Black sheep’
Kolesnikov, who at 20 turned into topped european champion in the 100m freestyle in 2021, has his thoughts made up about the Paris video games.
“I determined that for me in my opinion, it would no longer be possible to participate inside the Olympic video games beneath those situations,” he said, explaining that he did no longer want to be a “black sheep” the various different athletes.
“the other men are taking element, competing like not anything ever occurred. meanwhile we won’t have the proper to a delegation… nor a flag nor hymn,” he brought. even as the athlete spoke to AFP, young swimmers accumulated round him to invite for autographs.
“I have always prepared for the Olympic games,” he stated, calling it the “coolest” occasion for any sportsman. “Of path, i would like to go. Of course, i might like to win Olympic gold. however thinking about the modern-day scenario, i would run the danger of coming home with the medal simplest to peer it taken away (with the aid of the IOC),” he delivered.
New global statistics
at the same time as waiting for the scenario to alternate, Kolesnikov stated he wanted to recognition on placing “new world information”.
The variety of tournaments organised in Russia has increased drastically ever when you consider that Russian athletes were banned from international opposition following the attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
“This complete time that we have been competing at domestic, the guys have been improving and breaking information… And me too,” stated Kolesnikov, who in July reclaimed his global document in the 50m backstroke in 23.55sec.
“We swim and we stay in opposition with athletes from other nations through our results,” he brought. despite the fact that for now Kolesnikov does not intend to participate in subsequent 12 months’s Paris games, he is open to a change of plans.
“If the conditions (of the IOC) alternate” and if Russian government decide that “we must move win medals on behalf of the place of origin” then “of direction i can move,” he brought.
