"We don't care": Ukrainian sports star was not allowed to speak about the war at the International Forum

Famous Ukrainian gymnast Anna Rizatdinova was not allowed to deliver a speech at the World Olympians Forum held in Istanbul on September 16-17. The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games medalist wanted to remind the world about the war in our country but was denied.

Rizatdinova said this in her video message to the fans, which was published on her Instagram page. The Ukrainian sports star noted that she was faced with traditional narratives of Kremlin propaganda about the impossibility of politicizing the Olympic movement.

"We were coming there as it was an opportunity to remind the world about what is happening in Ukraine once again. But what a disappointment it was for me to approach the top officials of the association, show them the video and the text of my speech, and be rejected. I was told that 'sport is out of politics, and we don't care who has what passport.' Of course, I said that athletes from the Russian Armed Forces take part in the World Cup, making this Russian war propaganda. In response, I only heard the words that sport should unite, and what is happening in Ukraine is a tragedy," Rizatdinova said.

Earlier, Anna brought Ukrainians to tears by showing a video in which she and her partner on the Dancing with the Stars program Oleksandr Prokhorov danced against the backdrop of destroyed buildings in Kyiv.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Ukraine's vice-champion in Thai Muay Thai boxing, Yehor Riabenko, was killed while performing a combat mission at the front.

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!