"Total arbitrariness and humiliation of Russia" caused hysteria in the 4-time world champion from Russia

Four-time world biathlon champion Vladimir Drachev has called the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) conditions for Russian athletes humiliating. A few days ago, the IOC allowed Russian athletes who had qualified to participate in the Paris Olympics in neutral status, subject to strict conditions.

The Summer Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

"Since the beginning of the special military operation, I have been of the opinion that there should be no travel without the flag and anthem. It was one thing when there were doping scandals and we were awarded to the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and it's another thing now, when the fighting is ongoing. The current conditions are complete arbitrariness and humiliation," TASS quoted Drachev as saying.

According to the 58-year-old deputy and member of the United Russia faction, athletes are "the same soldiers, officers, warriors."

"They only fight for our country in sports arenas. And now they are going to fight for themselves, and my opinion is that there is no need for such a trip, it is not the right time," the three-time European champion concluded.

In their comments, Russian fans ridiculed the pathos of the titled ex-biathlete, reminding him that in 2002 he had run away to join the Belarusian national team because he was not included in the Russian team.

"This is from a man who changed his own country's flag for the sake of the Olympics. No shame, no conscience," "A sycophant," "It's funny to hear this from a person who, unable to withstand the competition, ran away to play under the flag of another country," users note.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, two-time Olympic biathlon champion Dmitry Vasiliev spoke quite negatively about Russian athletes who are ready to go to the Olympics under a neutral flag.

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