KAZAN, January 7, Adela Ziatdinova. Three-time World Championship medalist in swimming, Andrei Minakov said in an interview that for him the honor of the country is above all and he wants to compete at the Olympics together with the entire team, under the flag and with the anthem.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) previously allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Games in Paris in an individual neutral status, subject to a number of criteria.
“»It seems to me that people are already tired of discrimination, inequality and infringement of rights. If you compete, then it’s normal to compete, all together, under the flag and with the anthem. It is because of this that people don’t want to go there. I also think that every decision in life is a business decision. Yes, you can get neutral status, qualify, but you have to pay for everything yourself — all hotels, flights, meals, no prize money, and at the same time your rights are violated in full. But I’m one of those athletes for whom the honor of the country is above all,” Minakov said.
«I believe that if we are beaten once, everyone will understand that we can be beaten a second time. I am a supporter of athletes from Russia having full rights,» the swimmer noted.
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