"Violation of principles": Russian European champion says Russians bring peace and is offended by IOC

Russian diver Anna Konanykhina has criticized the conditions for the admission of athletes from Russia to international tournaments. The 2021 European champion called the IOC's sanctions a violation of Olympic principles and added that athletes from the aggressor country have allegedly always brought only peace.

Konanykhina said this in an interview with Sport24. The 19-year-old participant of the Tokyo Olympics complained about the "inadequate" attitude towards Russians in the world, and also confirmed that no one in Russia is interested in the opinion of athletes on the issue of boycotting the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

"If we were allowed to jump under acceptable conditions, those that do not contradict either our legislation or that of other countries, and we were treated adequately, we would go and perform. For me, what is happening now is a violation of the Olympic Charter, a violation of Olympic principles. This should not happen. Athletes have always been athletes of peace. As far back as we can remember, there have been Olympics where athletes have performed. This is a celebration of peace, a celebration of sport. All wars have always stopped. I can't express any personal opinion, because it's not up to us, but to the federation and the government," Konanykhina said.

Earlier, two-time Olympic medalist Kliment Kolesnikov was furious over the conditions of Russian athletes' admission to the 2024 Games in Paris and withdrew from the competition.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Russia called the famous swimmer Yulia Yefimova an American for her desire to compete at the 2024 Olympics in a neutral status.

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