Somov said that other Russian swimmers do not want to participate in the Olympic Games because of money
Russian swimmer Evgeny Somov explained the reluctance of his compatriots, representatives of this sport, to receive neutral status to participate in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. His words are quoted by Sports.
According to the athlete, obtaining the status entails many negative consequences. “Still attached. Well, if you submit it, your salaries and fees will fly off. Relations with the federation will deteriorate. Essentially, you will become unemployed. And who is ready for this? – said Somov.
On September 4, 2023, the World Aquatics bureau allowed Russian athletes to participate in tournaments in a neutral status. Athletes will only be able to take part in events where the time or result is determined by the performance of one swimmer. A maximum of one athlete from Russia per discipline will be allowed to compete. The leaders of the Russian national team, including Kliment Kolesnikov, Andrei Minakov, Evgeny Rylov and Evgenia Chikunova, refused to travel to the games.
25-year-old Somov lives and trains in the USA. On May 16, at a competition in America, he broke the Russian record in the 100-meter breaststroke. However, the achievement will not be ratified, since the time was shown at a tournament outside the country and not as part of the Russian national team.
Source: Lenta
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