"It's right": Russian Olympic medalist supports repressions and calls Russia a free country

Russian skier Ivan Alypov made a remarkable and illogical statement about the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games. The 2006 Turin medalist noted that athletes should make their own decisions about traveling to Paris, calling the aggressor country free, and at the same time advocated censorship and repression.

Alypov said this in an interview with the propaganda outlet Sport-Express. In particular, he mentioned the three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov, who allegedly cannot be banned from going to the 2026 Games under a neutral flag in Russia.

"Today, it's up to the athletes to decide. If Bolshunov has decided to go, who can forbid him? No matter what anyone says, we really live in a free country. He will pack his suitcase and leave. Somewhere, perhaps, the screws are being tightened on what can and cannot be said, and I think this is right. Unfortunately, today we have the opportunity to express our thoughts to almost the whole world. But we, like all people on this planet, live in our own country. There is a clear line, let's stick to it," Alypov said.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov demanded that the IOC ignore Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and not be interested in the topic at all. He was also ridiculed online after saying that world sport is "getting poorer, losing its level" due to the suspension of Russian athletes.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!