– Ukraine will insist that sporting sanctions are introduced until the last soldier has left Donetsk, Luhansk, Krym, Mariupol and Berdjansk, writes Olha Saladukha in a comment in the Ukrainian newspaper Pravda. CHIEF: Olha Saladukha. The former three-step world champion and current politician is now central to the effort to set up a list of athletes who they believe support Vladimir Putin and Russia’s warfare in Ukraine. She works closely with elected officials and former athletes. – The main purpose is to remove aggressive, Russian propaganda from sport, says Saladukha to news. The working group in the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, refers to them as “Putinist” practitioners. So far the list has 56 names. More will be added. She believes that it is not relevant to the case whether they receive an order, request or volunteer. And is tired of athletes hiding behind “we can’t do anything else”. – I am convinced that there are no hopeless situations. Everyone has the opportunity to express their point of view or step aside quietly. This is not about contracts or material goods, but about millions of lives and children, says Saladukha. Aleksandr Bolshunov is on the list for his participation at the Luzhniki Stadium to mark the annexation of Crimea in March. Gymnast Ivan Kuljak for appearing at the medal ceremony with the war symbol “Z” on his chest, and chess player Sergej Karjakin for giving wholehearted support to Putin and the war. BLACK LIST: Aleksey Chervotkin, Mark Kondratchuk, Nikita Katsalapov, Kamila Valjeva, Viktorija Sinitsina, Anastasija Mishina, Veronika Stepanova, Denis Spitsov and Aleksandr Galljamov were awarded medals by Putin. All the athletes are now on the blacklist of the Ukrainian parliament. Photo: SPUTNIK / Reuters Russia’s gold team from the Olympic cross-country relay was represented by three out of four athletes: Aleksandr Bolshunov, Denis Spitsov and Aleksej Chervotkin. Veronika Stepanova, who has taken a clear stand in the war, is also on the list. All have been given the same justification: “Participated in mass events aimed at justifying Russia’s warfare against Ukraine”. In addition to them, Stepanova coach Yegor Sorin and the Olympic hero from 2014, Aleksandr Legkov, are also on the list for “publicly supporting the attack against Ukraine”. The goal is total isolation. Saladukha does not think the recommendations from the International Olympic Committee to the special federations to deny Russian and Belarusian athletes participation are enough. Because there are loopholes. For example, boxing is open to Russian participation. She explains that the personal sanctions aim to hit athletes so that they know it. It involves freezing funds, banning the transfer of money, taking advantage of foreign property and banning entry. – Personal sanctions would be a serious warning to Russian and Belarusian athletes who have not yet supported the war, says Saladukha. The overview of the 56 athletes is now being processed by the relevant committees in parliament, before a new resolution is to be voted on. The National Security and Defense Council in Ukraine will be responsible for judging and deciding who should be sanctioned. FIRST MEETING: Verkshovna radas has set up a working group on behalf of the committee for youth and sport. Photo: Private Kyiv management wants to take away from athletes who support Putin the opportunity to compete in Europe. Athletes who have actively supported the war want them to be banned for life. She adds that the same will apply to Belarusian athletes who support the regime of Aleksandr Lukashenko, because Belarus has contributed to facilitating the Russian invasion. Belarusian participation Aleksandr Opejkin was present during the first meeting of the working group. He owns the Belarusian Sports Solidarity Fund, which protects athletes who have stood up against the oppressive regime in the country. BELARUSIAN REPRESENTATIVE: Aleksandr Opejkin. Photo: Privat The organization has played a key role when it comes to getting sanctions introduced against Belarus’ Olympic Committee and the removal of the Ice Hockey World Cup from Minsk in 2021. Now they are sharing experiences with their confederations in Ukraine. – The work of the commission is very important. It cannot allow itself to be discredited through quick and thoughtless decisions. Therefore, all of the facts will be checked carefully and, if they are confirmed, added to the list of persons against whom personal sanctions are recommended, says Opejkin to news. – Glorifies a crime He explains why Bolshunov’s participation in the commemoration of the annexation of Crimea in Moscow is illegal. – It is obvious that the celebration of such an event, such as the annexation of the autonomous republic of Crimea, supports, justifies and glorifies an international crime. If there is documentation or public information to support this, personal sanctions will be recommended against those involved in Ukraine and internationally. Opejkin believes that athletes ask for personal responsibility. He also calls for better mechanisms in the International Olympic Committee. – We see today that the processes are lacking in the IOC, something that discredits the organization and its leaders, who should act as real leaders when the world faces such critical times.
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Ukraine blacklists Bolshunov – wants to punish “Putinist” athletes – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
