Russian weightlifters allegedly refused to participate in the 2023 World Championships in Riyadh rather than being suspended from the tournament by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Representatives of the aggressor country called the demands to condemn the war in Ukraine and sign a neutral athlete's declaration a violation of their rights.

This was stated by the President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation (RWF) Maxim Agapitov in a commentary to the propaganda TV channel Match TV. The official added that representatives of the Russian national team would never sign documents condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"This declaration violates all kinds of rights. All the competitions they hold cannot be called World Championships or European Championships because they do not comply with all these documents. All our suggestions, questions and arguments seemed to not exist. And the decision that was announced is unacceptable, none of our athletes signed their declaration. The conditions are discriminatory, no one is willing to sign it. And they say that no one was admitted. How can they admit anyone if no one signed?" - Agapitov said.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Athens 2004 Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics Alina Kabayeva, who is called the mistress of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was ridiculed online after demanding that she adhere to sports principles.

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