MOSCOW, August 29, Oleg Bogatov. Former President of the All-Russian Federation Athletics (ARAF) Valentin Balakhnichev said that the provocation of Ukrainian Yaroslava Maguchy is below the plinth, the leadership of the ARAF on the board of the International Association of Athletics Federations (World Athletics — WA) must file a protest against the actions of the athlete.
On Sunday, Maguchikh won the high jump at the tournament in Budapest with a score of 2.01 m. Celebrating her success, she shouted out a Ukrainian nationalist slogan. The episode was included in the official broadcast of the competition.
“In the current situation, we clearly see the wildly Russophobic attitude towards us on the part of the head of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe,” said Balakhnichev. “Therefore, we should not expect any reaction from them. was within half an hour of the events. I think the leaders of the ARAF were watching the competition and could immediately file a protest. Regardless of Maguchy's result, I think that her behavior is below the floor.»
“A protest must be filed, because if you don’t answer harshly now, then such performances can continue and become a tradition,” added the source of the agency. “And people in the stands who do not understand what is at stake will support the champion. This is a natural emotional the position of the fans. But WA has not only rights, but also obligations to the ARAF, the obligation to defend the interests of Russia. Now the ARAF must file a protest at the World Athletics Council. And WA must restore order: not in terms of somehow punishing Maguchy, but to force them to create rules of conduct that would serve our interests.»
After the end of the competition, the sportswoman approached the fans to celebrate the victory. Tatyana Stepanova, Maguchy's coach, who was on the podium, shouted the nationalist slogan «glory to Ukraine», to which Maguchy replied «glory to the heroes.» «Glory to Ukraine» is the slogan of the «Ukrainian Insurgent Army» (UPA, an extremist organization banned in the Russian Federation). The glorification of the UPA and its leaders, Bandera and Roman Shukhevych, is criticized by many veterans of the Great Patriotic War and politicians who accuse Bandera of collaborating with the Nazis.