Svitolina wants Russian and Belarussian athletes banned from Olympics
WTA
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina believes banning Russian and Belarussian athletes from the Olympics would send a message to the world.
Ukraine has been at war for nearly a year since the Russian government decided to launch an illegal invasion of the country it used to control. The conflict shows no signs of lessening anytime soon.
The war has greatly impacted Ukrainian players on the WTA and ATP Tours. It is challenging for them to focus on competing at tournaments worldwide when their homeland is being attacked every day by an invader.
Svitolina mentions in several interviews that raising money in Ukraine's struggle for liberation motivates the country's players to keep competing despite how hard it is to go on the court and think about tennis.
Despite Ukraine's resistance, Svitolina worries that the public is starting to lose interest in the war because it has been in the news for so long, meaning people do not fully understand the reality of what is happening on the ground.
Svitolina wants a reminder of Russia and Belarus'(its government supports Russia in Ukraine) actions to be sent to the world by banning athletes from the countries at the upcoming Olympics. She mentioned an Olympic athlete killed in the conflict to support her argument.
"The Olympics are the biggest dream and ultimate privilege for athletes. They are the largest platform for inclusion and diversity in sports, capturing the attention of the world. With this in mind we must stick to banning Russian and Belarusian athletes, sending a strong message worldwide, that we are united in the sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus."
"Volodymyr Androshchuk, one of Ukraine's rising stars in track & field, was sadly killed in action. He will never fulfil his potential or dreams at the games, so why should Russian and Belarusian athletes get their chance when their governments are robbing innocent people and athletes of their chance?!!"
