KAZAN, January 6, Adela Ziatdinova. Four-time world champion in synchronized swimming Alexander Maltsev in an interview called foreign athletes hypocrites who support the exclusion of Russians from international competitions in the hope of an easier path to medals.
Previously, the International Aquatics Federation (World Aquatics) published criteria for the admission of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions, allowing them to perform only in individual disciplines in a neutral status. The President of the All-Russian Swimming Federation, Vladimir Salnikov, later stated that the Russian aquatics federations had sent a collective letter of disagreement with the admission criteria.
“»We used to communicate a lot, but in connection with the current situation, I began to notice hypocrisy on their part. Those with whom we communicated well began to openly support our removal. They did not write to me personally about this, but left comments under the posts of the IOC or the international federation on social networks. They understand that now there is an opportunity to take away medals that they never had,» — said Maltsev.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) previously allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Games in Paris in an individual neutral status, subject to a number of criteria.
“»Of course, it is very unpleasant and disappointing that the IOC and the International Federation water sports make such decisions. They contradict the spirit of sports, violate human rights and discriminate against us on the basis of nationality,» Maltsev noted.
Read the full interview with Alexander Maltsev on the website rsport.ria.ru.