“Wimbledon bowed to the dictates of the International Olympic world” Italian Olympic Committee Chief on Russian players ban
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Giovanni Malago and Daniil Medvedev
The recent decision on Wimbledon is opposed by many. The ATP, WTA, PTPA, and many others don’t want the Russians and Belarusian players to get banned from the tournament. Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) had recently announced the ban on all players from Russia and Belarus to be banned from playing during the Grass court events in the UK.
The decision comes in light of the UK’s support to Ukraine as the Russian attempt to invade Ukraine has been going on for more than 2-months and the Ukrainians have suffered massively. As an action of not tolerating and supporting the Russians, this decision was taken by the Grand Slam which has not met with positive reactions from everyone.
Amidst this, Giovanni Malago, the President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), in his interview with Corriere Della Sera informed that the decision taken by Wimbledon is in accordance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and there is nothing wrongdoing on the Grand Slam’s part.
“As president of CONI and a member of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), I deal with sports policy and not with politics. In Italy, I repeat, I represent the IOC. And the Executive Board recommended to all federations not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to tournaments and sports events. Wimbledon, which is a private club, complied with this indication.
“Things, facts, must be explained well, especially to those who do not agree, and it is their right, with the decisions of the IOC. All the most important international federations, and I mean all of them, have accepted and followed the IOC’s recommendations. Only the tennis world was surprised that Wimbledon bowed to the dictates of the international Olympic world,” said Malago.
Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players
This ban on Russian and Belarusian players is opposed by many however some also support this decision. The WTA, ATP, and others feel that this is discrimination based on the nationality of players. Players don’t support their government and shouldn’t be held responsible for their government’s decisions.
While Alexandr Dolgopolov the retired Ukrainian tennis player who is currently a soldier in the war having received military training is of the opinion that like Wimbledon everyone should ban the Russians and Belarusian players. He says that this is nothing personal to the players but only to stop the war. He feels only the Russian people can force the Russian government to stop the war.
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Yash Pais
(53 Articles Published)