Aleksandr Bolshunov criticized the sporting bans imposed on his nation
Russian Olympic cross-country snowboarding champion Aleksandr Bolshunov has accused the West of blaming Russia for all of the world’s issues, whereas insisting that sport shouldn’t be undermined by politics.
Bolshunov gained a haul of 5 medals – together with three gold – on the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in February, however now finds himself banned from worldwide competitions alongside together with his fellow Russians due to the battle in Ukraine.
Talking to Norwegian channel TV2, the 25-year-old stated he was upset to be lacking out on main occasions, particularly as sport ought to serve the aim of bringing folks collectively.
“I’m actually disillusioned that we won’t be able to participate within the World Cup and the World Championship,” Bolshunov stated.
“These [athletes] who will now take part there might maybe put themselves in our place. I wish to see how they react.
“Individuals within the West ought to cease blaming us Russians for all the things. Possibly we’d like assist as a substitute? Sport is peace, sport ought to convey folks collectively and nothing extra,” added the skier.
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Discussing the scenario in Ukraine, Bolshunov instructed it was far too reductionist to put the blame with Russia.
“In the case of the scenario we now have on the earth proper now, I imagine that each one states concerned within the battle are responsible,” stated the Olympic star, who additionally gained 4 medals on the PyeongChang Video games in 2018.
“Initially, this should now finish, and world leaders should sit down on the negotiating desk and agree on the best way ahead. I don’t assume it’s going to occur now, however I hope it gained’t be lengthy.”
Within the absence of a historically robust Russian presence due to the ban by snowboarding authority the FIS, Bolshunov stated worldwide occasions can be “performed with out aggressive wrestle.”
Russian and Belarusian athletes stay sidelined from international competitions throughout all kinds of sports activities after an preliminary advice from the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) on the finish of February that they shouldn’t be invited because of Moscow’s navy marketing campaign in Ukraine.
Russian officers and sports activities figures have continuously decried the bans as discriminatory and undermining the precept of sport being exterior politics.
It has additionally been famous that athletes from quite a few different international locations whose governments have launched overseas navy campaigns down the years – not least the US and its NATO allies – haven’t confronted comparable sanctions.
