Criticism of Russian athletes: The Olympic Games are about peace

The Russian Olympic Games participants should criticize Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This is what the fresh Olympic champion in high jump Jaroslava Mahutjich says. The Olympic Games are about peace, says the Ukrainian.

» Updated:

» Published:

Criticism of Russian athletes: The Olympic Games are about peace
Photo: Rebecca Blackwell/AP/TT

Share this article

The 22-year-old high jumper took home the Olympic gold on Sunday evening at Stade de France and the day after, the Ukrainian says she is disappointed with the silence from the Russian Olympic participants who are allowed to compete under a neutral flag in Paris.

They haven't said anything against this war, says Mahutjich, who herself had to flee Ukraine after Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

In athletics, no Russian or Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate at all in Paris, but in several other sports, individual athletes are allowed to participate under a neutral flag if they, for example, do not actively support the war of aggression.

That they are even allowed to participate under a neutral flag is "double standards", believes Mahutjich, who in July set a world record with her jump of 2.10 meters during the Diamond League gala in Paris.

It is ultimately the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that has given the green light for the neutral athletes after an examination. A total of 15 Russian and 17 Belarusian athletes were registered for the Olympic Games.

However, human rights organization Global Rights Compliance (GRC) claims that ten of the Russian athletes have "violated the principles of participation", which AFP reported on before the Olympic Games.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Armand Duplantis Pursues Gold at Tokyo Athletics World Championship

Armand Duplantis Pursues Gold at Tokyo Athletics World Championship

SHL Season Begins: Key Storylines to Watch

SHL Season Begins: Key Storylines to Watch

SHL Faces Backlash Over Red Bull Partnership

SHL Faces Backlash Over Red Bull Partnership

Lindfors Misses Discus Final in Tears as Kamga Advances

Lindfors Misses Discus Final in Tears as Kamga Advances

Wictor Petersson Advances to World Championship Shot Put Final

Wictor Petersson Advances to World Championship Shot Put Final

Perseus Karlström Finishes 19th in Tokyo After Race Struggles

Perseus Karlström Finishes 19th in Tokyo After Race Struggles

Blackstenius Shines as Arsenal Triumphs Over West Ham in Derby

Blackstenius Shines as Arsenal Triumphs Over West Ham in Derby

Turkey Advances to European Basketball Championship Final After Defeating Greece

Turkey Advances to European Basketball Championship Final After Defeating Greece

Sweden Levels Davis Cup Tie Against Tunisia After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Levels Davis Cup Tie Against Tunisia After Dramatic Comeback

Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger Sidelined by Injury Until December

Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger Sidelined by Injury Until December

Olympic Gold Medalist Andrei Chemerkin Dies at 53

Olympic Gold Medalist Andrei Chemerkin Dies at 53

Finland Falls to Germany in European Basketball Semifinal

Finland Falls to Germany in European Basketball Semifinal

Newcastle Coach Eddie Howe Discusses Alexander Isak's Departure

Newcastle Coach Eddie Howe Discusses Alexander Isak's Departure

Perseus Karlström Prepares for Tokyo World Championship Heat

Perseus Karlström Prepares for Tokyo World Championship Heat

Ludvig Åberg Drops to Second in PGA Championship at Wentworth

Ludvig Åberg Drops to Second in PGA Championship at Wentworth

Andreas Almgren Aims for World Championship Medal in Tokyo 10000m

Andreas Almgren Aims for World Championship Medal in Tokyo 10000m

Rögle Signs NHL Veteran Defenseman Calvin de Haan

Rögle Signs NHL Veteran Defenseman Calvin de Haan

Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Receives Four-Year Suspension

Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Receives Four-Year Suspension

Mike Powell Suspended from All Athletics Activities by AIU

Mike Powell Suspended from All Athletics Activities by AIU

Mutaz Essa Barshim to Miss Tokyo World Championship Due to Injury

Mutaz Essa Barshim to Miss Tokyo World Championship Due to Injury