Kovalchuk stated that 99% of Russians support Olympic participants from Russia
Olympic hockey champion Ilya Kovalchuk assessed the attitude of Russians towards their compatriots who decided to compete in the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. His words are quoted by Match TV.
“I am sure that 99 percent of the people of our wonderful homeland will be worried and rooting for our athletes. And if, God willing, someone wins, we will celebrate them as Olympic champions,” Kovalchuk said. He also wished the athletes good luck and advised them not to listen to what is happening around them.
The hockey player recalled that he himself participated in the 2018 Olympics as part of a team that was deprived of its flag and anthem. “But, as we said then, Russia and the flag are in our hearts,” Kovalchuk emphasized.
Fifteen Russians were admitted to the Paris Games, which start on July 26, as neutrals. There were more invitations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but some of the country’s representatives themselves refused to compete.
Source: Lenta
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