Ilgar Mamedov, who is the head of the Russian Fencing Federation, spoke about the athletes who will go to the Olympics. He said that almost all residents of Russia will not support athletes who want to go to competitions in Paris in a neutral status.

Mamedov said that the decision to participate in the Games will cause discord in society, and this cannot be allowed. He said that athletes need to decide who they love more: themselves or their country. He recalled that they achieved their successes thanks to the country that supported them and raised them. Mamedov pointed out that the conditions put forward by the IOC are terrible. And he sees no reason to agree to them.

Let us recall that earlier the IOC stated that they would allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the Games, but only in a neutral status. Special symbols were defined for them (individual anthem and flag). Also, Russians and Belarusians will not be allowed to attend the opening of the Olympics, and they will not appear in the standings.