KAZAN, June 20, Svetlana Bonopartova. Champion of Europe and Russia Greco-Roman wrestler Emin Sefershaev, who won gold at the BRICS Games in the up to 60 kg weight category on Thursday, told reporters that he hopes to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“»You know, I myself wanted to compete at the Olympic Games, I won the pre-Olympic championship of Russia, but due to the fact that the situation in the country is such a difficult one, the IOC does not allow us to compete at the Olympics. I think that this is unacceptable. I don’t even have there was a chance to qualify for them, I’m very upset about it. It was incredibly difficult at the beginning, but now I’ve come to terms with it and will work to remain among the leaders for the next Olympic cycle and qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles,” Sefershaev said. .
On Saturday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a list of the first 14 athletes from Russia who received neutral status at the Games in Paris. In particular, 10 wrestlers were included in it: Nachyn Mongush, Shamil Mamedov, Arslan Bagaev, Abdulla Kurbanov, Alan Ostaev, Magomed Murtazaliev, Natalya Malysheva, Veronika Chumikova, Alina Kasabieva and Elizaveta Petlyakova. Russians won 16 licenses for the Games in wrestling; the IOC list does not include many leaders of the Russian national team, including Olympic champions Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Musa Evloev, Zaur Uguev, Zaurbek Sidakov and two-time bronze medalist of the Games Sergei Semenov. Later, the IOC clarified that the list of accepted wrestlers will not be replenished.
«»Only two people from our style of wrestling will perform. They are not considered leaders, but we as a whole team will sincerely root for them, I hope that they will prove that our country is a leader. I myself could not stand it, maybe , I would have given up already. But thanks to my coach, we decided to continue. I think we will qualify for the next Olympics together to compete there as part of the Russian team,” he added.
The IOC allowed Russians to participate in the Games, which will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, in an individual neutral status, subject to a number of criteria. A special flag and anthem have been approved for neutral athletes. In Paris they will be able to perform in a neutral status, but their compliance with the necessary criteria will be assessed by a special IOC commission (AINERP), consisting of three people.