The International Federation spat on Ukraine by allowing a Russian champion to post photos with "Z"

Russian wrestler Alexander Melekhov has been admitted to the World Championships, which will be held in Belgrade from 16 to 23 September. The 21-year-old from Novosibirsk did not hide his support for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, taking pictures against the backdrop of the letter Z.

Melekhov also visited the temporarily occupied Crimea, boasting about it on Instagram.

On the eve of the start of the World Cup, Melekhov's name appeared on the list of participants as a neutral athlete.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Russian Wrestling Federation President Mikhail Mamiashvili demanded that Russian athletes be allowed to participate in the 2023 World Cup without additional conditions.

The Seoul '88 Olympic champion noted that representatives of the Russian Federation would not sign a declaration of neutral status, "where you have to renounce your country", condemning the war in Ukraine.

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