"This is not grief": Russian Olympic champion tells how Russian "mothers are left without sons" and calls for boycott of 2024 Games

Yelena Välbe, President of the Russian Cross-Country Ski Federation (RCCF), has spoken out against the participation of athletes from the aggressor country under a neutral flag at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The winner of three Games, who epically bent over before dictator Vladimir Putin, called it a betrayal at a time when "mothers are left without sons."

Välbe said this in an interview with the propaganda news agency TASS. The Putin regime's henchwoman shamed athletes who have thoughts of agreeing to compete in international competitions under a "white rag."

"What is the difference between an athlete and a person who did very well at school, graduated from college, got a prestigious job, but went to defend his homeland when the special military operation in Ukraine started (as Russia shamefully calls it - ed.)? There is some injustice in this to the people who are now defending us and our sovereignty. It's very bitter that we don't go to international competitions. They will say: here's the flag, here's the anthem, you are Russians, then we are going. And now... This is not grief. Grief is when mothers are left without sons. I'm not ready to give up my life for a white rag at this time," said Välbe.

On December 8, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympics in neutral status. However, this applies only to individual events, and the athletes themselves must meet certain criteria. In response, swimmer Yevgeny Rylov refused to travel to Paris, and the rhythmic gymnastics team announced a boycott of the tournament in its entirety.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Russian skier Anastasia Faleeva was criticized in Russia for "having thoughts" of competing at the Olympics under a neutral flag.

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