"It is your problem": Russian Olympic champion claims everyone is already tired of Ukrainians

Olympic champion Svetlana Zhurova has spoken cynically about Ukraine's possible boycott of the 2024 Games in Paris after Russian athletes were allowed to compete. The State Duma deputy urged not to pay attention to the statements of our officials, which allegedly make athletes nervous.

Zhurova said this in an interview with the Russia Today propaganda channel. The former speed skater and 2006 Turin gold medalist called the situation a "blackmail" that allegedly tired the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president Thomas Bach.

"Ukraine's boycott is only hurting its athletes, who are also nervous: many of them dreamed of going there. But because of their government, they are forced to sit on needles. It seems that their government treats such major competitions like participating in Eurovision. They think that nothing bad will happen if the athletes miss the Games. It's like they don't care. I think that Thomas Bach is already tired of this Ukrainian blackmail. I think they will stop paying attention to them in the future. If you don't go, it's your problem," Zhurova said.

Earlier, Ukraine's acting Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi called the IOC's decision to allow Russians to compete in the 2024 Games irresponsible and also named the condition under which our country would boycott the Olympics. The Russian Federation also reacted angrily to the conditions of athletes' admission to the competition.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the International Athletics Federation announced the complete suspension of Russian athletes from the Olympics in Paris.

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