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Russian swimmer slams 'humiliating' criteria for admitting Russian athletes to Olympics

"In the current circumstances, I do not consider refusing to take part in the Olympics as a step backwards; we must maintain a sense of dignity, so his statements did not surprise me," Vladimir Salnikov pointed out

ST. PETERSBURG, December 19. /TASS/. The criteria for admitting Russian and Belarusian athletes to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are humiliating, Vladimir Salnikov, head of the Russian Swimming Federation and four-time Olympic champion, told TASS.

Earlier, two-time Olympic champion Evgeny Rylov announced his unwillingness to compete in the Paris Games under the conditions established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"This is natural, because the conditions offered to people who have stood on the highest stage at the Olympic Games are unacceptable in their content. I consider them humiliating. If they want us to come, we should go without any restrictions or discrimination. If neutral status in the world is considered some kind of necessity, then we will offer everyone to compete under a neutral status," Salnikov said.

"In the current circumstances, I do not consider refusing to take part in the Olympics as a step backwards; we must maintain a sense of dignity, so his statements did not surprise me," Salnikov pointed out.

On December 8, the IOC announced that it would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics but only in a neutral status. They will be forbidden to show any connection with their countries and would have to distance themselves from their respective national sports organizations.

"If you want to see someone, you open doors, and if there are restrictions, it means that there is no such desire. And trying to impose yourself and crawl in on your knees, that has nothing to do with sports," Salnikov emphasized.

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