‘Never be the same’: Olympics call on Russians divides sporting world
The sporting world has been has left pondering the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) historic call to ban all Russian and Belarusian athletes from sport in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
International uproar has erupted following President Vladimir Putin's decision for Russia to invade Ukraine in a move that has seen unprecedented sanctions being handed down on the nation.
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The sporting world has also followed in the footsteps of world leaders with sanctions.
FIFA, football's world governing body, and UEFA, the sport's European governing body, announced that they have banned all Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions "until further notice."
The suspension will likely remove Russia from next month's World Cup qualifying playoffs, and end its hopes of earning a berth at the most prestigious tournament in international sport.
FIFA's decision came hours after the IOC's executive board recommended that sports federations and event organisers "not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions." (Belarus has supported the Russian invasion.)
While world sport has been showing its support for Ukraine during the horrible invasion, the call from the IOC sparked a conversation about individual athletes being punished.
One such sport, which could be heavily impacted is tennis.
Russian Daniil Medvedev just overtook Novak Djokovic to become the men's World No.1.
It was the first time since 2004 that someone other than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray has held the ranking.
Countryman Andrey Rublev is World No.6.
Both players have called for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.
Russian World No.14 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova went one step further and spoke out against her own government in a brave statement calling for an end to the war in Ukraine.
However, Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina said she won't compete against any Russian athletes on the Tour while the conflict continues.
If tennis' governing body is to follow the IOC's call, the above athletes could be impacted in up-coming events such as Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
This sparked a mix of opinions on social media.
One fan said the current global climate has changed sport forever with the IOC's decision a watershed moment.
She claimed the IOC will no longer be able to remain politically neutral in the future following their latest statement.
Given the IOC statement and the UK government’s hardline stance, it’s impossible to see Daniil Medvedev being allowed to play at Wimbledon as things currently stand. Accepting things could change before then.
— Ben Rumsby (@ben_rumsby) February 28, 2022
Not to mention we've crossed the Slippery Slope turnstile if we're banning players for a country's bad acts...Other side argues: "War crimes are being committed in broad daylight and we are debating offending a few athletes?" https://t.co/v6dynQTzpH
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) March 1, 2022
FIFA and IOC calling for bans of Russian players. Imagine the impact in Russia if new #1 player Medvedev were unable to compete in Roland Garros or Wimbledon. I feel bad for the athletes but all pressure against Russia must be applied.
— Vanfan (@vanfanx) March 1, 2022
Its actually surprising why the Tennis is silent, is it because the current number male 1 is Russian?🤔 The IOC yesterday urged sports federations and organisers to exclude 🇷🇺 and 🇧🇾 athletes and officials from international events following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/nRAb0mwCyG
— Venus Padul (@VenusPadul) March 1, 2022
What changed from yesterday when FIFA did not ban Russia to today when it did? Russia was invading Ukraine yesterday and continues to do so today. Gianni is a member of the IOC so should have known what was coming. Strange move to take such a big hit yesterday.
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) February 28, 2022
FIFA, UEFA and IOC are eliminating everything Russian. Kinda seems unfair for the Russian athletes.
— Sayak (@sayakdd28) February 28, 2022
How IOC’s recommendations to ban athletes from #Russia and #Belarus will work in tennis, where players really don't play for their countries apart from Davis Cup?
— Karamdeep (@oyeekd) February 28, 2022
In the Olympic Charter, the IOC contains the following passage: "Every person shall have the possibility to practise sport, without discrimination of any kind and reflecting the Olympic spirit of mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity and fair play". https://t.co/5iRLoIqkXh
— Angel (@qi13921568135) March 1, 2022
This has changed the Olympics forever, perhaps the most significant decision the IOC has ever made: no more can they claim political neutrality, or that the athlete’s right to compete is sacred. Agree with it or not, sport will never be the same… #olympics #politics #NoToWar https://t.co/BpjbzgZ9J3
— Tracey Holmes (@TraceyLeeHolmes) February 28, 2022
Daniil Medvedev's World No.1 ranking under cloud
On the weekend, Ukrainian Tennis Federation urged the sport's governing body the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to immediately expel Russia and Belarus from the organisation and ban Russia from team and individual tournaments.
In a letter seen by Reuters, the Ukrainian federation described the actions of Russia and Belarus in Ukraine over the past four days as "unprecedented, cynical and bloody".
In a step further, Ukrainian Tennis Federation board member Seva Kevlych said Medvedev and other Russian players should be barred from Grand Slam tournaments.
"Let (Medvedev) play on the ATP Tour but Grand Slams are ITF events and if you lose the possibility to play in Grand Slams he could never be World No.1," Kevlych said.
"He shouldn't play in the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon.
"I don't care that Russia is the holder of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. It would shame them when the holders are kicked out of these events.
"For Daniil to not represent the (Russian team) it's not a big penalty for him but it's a big shame for him. To represent a team with no flag, no anthem and no history in a team event, probably it would make him do the right thing."
It remains to be see how the ITF will react to the IOC's call.
with Reuters
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