MOSCOW, Sep 14, Sergey Smyshlyaev. Champion of Russia in rally-raids and two-time winner of the Silk Way rally marathon Maria Oparina said that she had no illusions about the lifting of sanctions, and was also not going to prove to Western functionaries «that she is not a sheep.» Earlier, Russian racer Sergey Karyakin said that pilots from Russia were not allowed before participating in international competitions, including Dakar, without a written statement condemning the Russian special operation in Ukraine. «This paper was from the very beginning of the CBO, it was developed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), as far as I understand. There are no words, only emotions. All this is allegedly about sports outside of politics. «Dakar» is just one of the stages of the World Cup, and there are many of them, in early October, a stage will be held in Morocco, for example, and also without Russians. If Tchaikovsky is banned in the world, then what international motorsport mo it is necessary to speak,” Oparina said. “I have no illusions about the lifting of sanctions and the admission of Russian athletes to international tournaments. And I see no point in proving to Western functionaries that you are not a sheep. I'm just doing my job. I enjoy this. By the way, from September 22 to 25, the next stage of the Russian rally-raid championship will take place. My team will definitely take part there,» added the rider.
