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A unique champion threatens to boycott the 2024 Olympics over Russia's admission
One of the first ever Olympic 3x3 basketball champions, Nauris Miezis, has categorically opposed the participation of Russian athletes in the 2024 Games in Paris. The Latvian national team player added that if this decision is not reconsidered, he will boycott the competition in the French capital.
Miezis said this in an interview with LTV Sports, Basket News reports. He criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which allowed Russian athletes to compete in Paris 2024 in a neutral status while Russia continues to wage a criminal war against Ukraine.
"My position is that I categorically do not support this, but if there is a final decision 100%, I will definitely be an athlete who will not participate in the Olympic Games. I don't like it when athletes interfere in such political matters, but this time, if we have something to say and can help in some way. The IOC's decision, in my opinion, is wrong, and we, as athletes, can do more," Miezis said.
Earlier, Ukraine's acting Sports Minister Matvey Bidny 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. In turn, the International Federation of Athletics announced the complete suspension of Russian athletes from the Paris Olympics.
As OBOZ.UA previously reported, former speed skater and State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova complained about Ukrainians, whom everyone is allegedly tired of because of our country's possible boycott of the 2024 Olympics. And Veronika Stepanova, an Olympic champion with the "intelligence of a washing machine," called on Russians to organize provocations at the Games.
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