"This is definitely not Ukraine": Z-patriot Valuev tells what the IOC will not allow our country to do

Former world heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev has spoken disparagingly of Ukraine after the Ministry of Sport banned our athletes from competing with Russians and Belarusians. The State Duma deputy called the move an attempt to put pressure on the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Valuev said this on the air of the propaganda TV channel Match TV. He expressed confidence that Ukrainians would not be able to influence IOC President Thomas Bach. At the same time, other countries have the opportunity to put pressure on the official, who advocates the return of aggressors to world sport.

"If it turns out now that Ukraine can influence world opinion and dictate its terms in this way, what kind of world sport can we talk about? Of course, Bach will not allow the Ukrainian authorities to influence his decisions and those of the IOC in any way. We are saying this now as a possibility, but most likely this should not happen. There are people and countries that can influence Bach, but it is definitely not Ukraine," Valuev said.

Earlier, Olympic champion Svitlana Zhurova called on the IOC to consider depriving Ukraine of its flag and anthem at international tournaments following the decree of the Ministry of Sport.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov opposed Russian athletes condemning the war in Ukraine in order to participate in international competitions, talking about the "most terrible" consequences.

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