Olympic speed skating champion and State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova believes that in order to participate in Asian competitions, Russian athletes will have to fulfill the same requirements as for participation in the Olympic Games.
On Wednesday, the IOC said it would consider admitting neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions who did not actively support the CBO. On Thursday, the Olympic Council of Asia offered to give Russian and Belarusian athletes the opportunity to compete in Asia, including the Asian Games.
— The Olympic Council of Asia is regulated by the oversight of the IOC. Therefore, it seems to me that the invitation from Asia and the offer of the IOC for our participation on certain conditions are links in the same chain. No wonder these news came one after another. I mean that in Asia, apparently, it will be necessary to fulfill the same conditions. I do not want to discuss or condemn yet, because there is no reliable data. But if this is again participation without a flag and an anthem, then this is a strange proposal – what is the point for us to participate then? First they say “maybe”, and then they offer impossible conditions that we cannot fulfill.
By the way, the Ukrainians have already begun to strike there – they will boycott the competition if the Russians are allowed at least in some form. Personally, I think that the IOC will still allow a number of our athletes to compete – for example, those who have not lived in Russia for a long time and are not connected with the country either financially or morally. Let’s say they’re allowed to participate in qualifying competitions. And here is the question: will Ukraine forbid its athletes to participate? For example, we cannot limit athletes in any way – they will participate if they want, – Zhurova told Match TV.