Angelina Melnikova is aiming to compete on the 2024 Paris Games
Olympic gymnastics champion Angelina Melnikova has pointed to “positive developments” within the debate surrounding Russian athletes’ participation on the Paris 2024 Games, expressing hope that she and her compatriots can be cleared to compete regardless of present bans.
Melnikova starred because the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) received gold within the girls’s crew occasion in Tokyo final summer time, and likewise scooped a pair of bronze medals within the particular person all-around and flooring train occasions.
But the 22-year-old’s hopes of repeating that success in Paris in two years’ time are below risk as a result of sweeping bans imposed on Russian sport due to the battle in Ukraine.
Some Olympic officers similar to former World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief Craig Reedie have already advised that Russian and Belarusian athletes might miss out in Paris as they aren’t cleared for qualifying occasions main up the Games.
Elsewhere, nevertheless, US Olympic official Susanne Lyons claimed final week that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was already sounding out members concerning a possible “pathway” again to competitors for Russian athletes.
Tokyo gold medalist Melnikova mentioned that even when Russian athletes had been compelled to compete below impartial standing – as they had been on the 2020 Summer Games and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games due to WADA sanctions – it could be higher than not that includes in any respect.
“We really hope for any kind of admission to the Olympics, because this isn’t the first time we’ve performed without a flag and an anthem,” mentioned Melnikova, who can also be her sport’s 2021 all-around world champion.
“We hope for some positive progress. We’re waiting until the end of the year. There are discussions, we seem to be moving in a positive direction.
“There is hope for Paris, we aren’t coaching now for nothing,” Melnikova told Metaratings.
Fellow Olympic champion Artur Dalaloyan – who helped Russia to gold in the men’s team event in Tokyo – described the current sanctions as “absurd,” but like Melnikova expressed hope that the situation would be resolved before the Paris Games.
“I’m an athlete, my job is to point out my work on the highest stage. With or and not using a flag, it would not matter to me. Everyone is aware of completely nicely that I signify Russia,” said the 26-year-old.
“Some individuals assume it is not essential to go [to the Olympics] and not using a flag, however I feel it is necessary to go. I’ll exit and defend the respect of the nation, struggle for victories.
“We’re working tirelessly. This whole situation is absurd, but we have hope that we’ll go to the Olympics in Paris.
“We’re striving just for this. Of course, this example will not subside shortly, tales like this have by no means handed shortly,” added the three-time world champion.
After the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) imposed a blanket ban on Russian athletes in March, Russian officials have moved to organize alternative domestic events to compensate – including the revival of the Soviet-era ‘Spartakiad’ games.
Dalaloyan praised officials for their efforts, saying: “I need to be aware the super work of our Ministry of Sports, the Russian Gymnastics Federation – they maintain tournaments, they introduced again the Spartakiad. Russian athletes are motivated, regardless of the instances that we’re residing for the time being.”
(RT.com)