PERM, October 19 Head of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics (VFKhG) ) Irina Viner, addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin, noted that she is against performing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris in a “shameful”, neutral status.
In March 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that international federations allow Russians who did not support the CBO to compete in a neutral status. At the same time, the organization proposed to deny athletes associated with the armed forces and security agencies, as well as national teams, in team disciplines.
“We are very worried that in the context of the Olympic Games we hear one thing — lower, even lower, squat. We are always being “bent over.” Then our athletes are dressed in white under the auspices of “I give up.” Without an anthem, without fans. You can't go to the mixed zone. The mayor of Paris actually said that they should compete in a refugee team. I think that my colleagues will not go in this status, it's a shame. The most popular song at the World Championships is the Russian anthem. And going in this condition is lower the dignity of such a country,” said Wiener at a meeting of the Russian Presidential Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports within the framework of the “Russia – a Sports Power” forum.