Mamiashvili on the Averins’ refusal to attend the Olympics: I respect their choice

MOSCOW, March 6, Oleg Bogatov. President of the Wrestling Federation Russia (FSBR) Mikhail Mamiashvili said that he has great respect for the decision of multiple world champions in rhythmic gymnastics Dina and Arina Averin to end their careers due to their reluctance to compete at the 2024 Olympics in a neutral status, since the sisters consider the strict restrictions on participation from outside to be a humiliation International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The head of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics (VFKhG) Irina Viner said on Tuesday that the Averins ended their sports career due to their reluctance to compete at the Games in Paris under the white flag. Dina and Arina Averina announced their retirement in February. Earlier, Wiener said that she considered it unacceptable for Russian athletes to perform at the Olympic Games in a neutral status.
“Why should we be surprised by the civic position of Dina and Arina? They are already grown girls and feel like full-fledged and responsible citizens of our country. I don’t want to seem pompous, but why shouldn’t they have made such a decision. The athletes believe that the (harsh) conditions of the IOC humiliate their civil dignity. For me, their position is quite understandable,» Mamiashvili said.
«On the contrary, I believe that their position is conscious and many can only envy the choice of Dina and Arina. But this does not mean that today this is the only replicated path in domestic sports. Nevertheless, this event gives me only respect for them «, added the head of the FSBI.

On December 8, the IOC announced the admission of Russians to the 2024 Games in a neutral status subject to a number of criteria. Neutral athletes and their personnel must refrain from any activity related to the national flag, anthem, emblem or any other symbol of Russia, national federations or Olympic committees, as well as from supporting the CBO at any official event or in the media before, during and after the Olympic Games games.
The head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), Stanislav Pozdnyakov, later stated that the IOC conditions are unacceptable for the vast majority of Russian athletes, only a few of them will agree to participate in the Games in Paris.