Wilk on Duda’s refusal to shake hands with Khismatullin: don’t mix sports and politics
Polish politician Jacek Wilk appreciated the refusal of compatriot Jan-Krzysztof Duda to shake hands with Russian grandmaster Denis Khismatullin at the World Rapid Chess Championship. He shared his opinion on the X social network page.
“Sport was supposed to become an alternative to politics, so mixing politics with sports is a sign of weakness and a contradiction to its very essence. The athlete must decide what he is doing – sports or politics,” said the Pole.
Later, Wilk emphasized that he was not criticizing Duda specifically, but the very fact of mixing sports and politics. He added that his position also applies to Russian athletes.
Earlier, the International Chess Federation said that there is no automatic punishment for refusing a handshake. The Russian Chess Federation called Duda a poorly educated young man.
On January 3, it became known that Khismatullin extended his hand to Duda before the start of the meeting, but he gestured that he would not return the greeting. The match ended in a draw.
Source: Lenta
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