Czech police stopped a Russian tennis player from entering the country ahead of the WTA Prague Open tournament, organisers said on Friday, as a new government resolution banning athletes from Russia or Belarus caused the event to scratch other competitors.
The solidarity with the Ukranian friends is to ban russian or belarussian athletes? Even if they are against the war, which is a pretty dangerous position to be taking if they plan to get back to their country?
The same thing happened to South African atheists during Apartheid.
This.
Wimbledon banned russian and Belarusian athletes last year. With the ban being lifted for this year’s event. One Belarusian athlete (victoria azarenka) was even boo’d at Wimbledon after her loss against Ukraine athlete Elina Svitolina, who refused to shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian.
Azarenka is openly against the war and has been since the war started, but is still being treated unfairly as a villain.
I understand this is a near impossible task, but sports (particularly the athletes) and politics should stay separate.