More thoughts from Titov on neutral participation and the Olympics. Pozdnyakov is President of the Russian Olympic Committee.
As ever with these situations, opinion seems to wax and wane from time to time and person to person. This might be aberrations in the press reports or it could be attempts to clean up what was said before: who knows. I just wish that the FIG would issue their criteria now, and would make it clear.
Google translation via RIA SPORT.
‘Vasily Titov
“I fully support the words of Stanislav Pozdnyakov that the Olympic Games should not be boycotted. This is an honest and completely accurate look at the situation. The issue with signing consent documents with a neutral status is that there is always an element of personal choice. And in this case, each athlete will have to decide whether he is ready to do this or not. Therefore, I do not see any contradiction between Pozdnyakov’s words and the statement of the Russian President. I believe that you should not miss the opportunity to perform at the Games. If our athletes have any chances, then we must take advantage of them. We shouldn't slam the door - that's what they're waiting for.
If we do this, we will only make life easier for those who started this whole mess - the IOC. We are in close contact with the International Gymnastics Federation. Unfortunately, FIG has not yet developed criteria for the neutrality of athletes, and we do not yet understand what will be included in them. Therefore, it is difficult to say which of our athletes can qualify for participation in the Olympic Games. And FIG knows what the red lines are for us - none of the Russian gymnasts will sign a declaration condemning the special military operation. This is the common position of all our athletes.”
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