May 18, 2024

If the International Olympic Committee consider Russia to be eligible for the Olympics in Paris in any guise, then we must all agree that they have no ethical standards. Money for them is the only motive for mounting the games; profit is more important than life. Pretending Russians are not there by allowing them to compete as ‘individuals without a flag’ is a weak and pathetic position to take.

For Ukrainians to be forced to compete against people who have supported and in some cases actively participated in murdering their own countrymen is unacceptable. If Russian athletes are allowed to participate in France then I for one will not be showing an interest, and I encourage others not to attend, not to watch on TV, and not to buy the merchandise.

If we truly believe that the aggressive invasion of Ukraine was wrong, that the murder of civilians in Bucha was one of many war crimes committed by Putin and his armies, then we must all stand together in our own way.

We can all contribute by taking a principled stand. Switch off, do not attend, do not satisfy the advertising companies.

Alone, we are mere drops in the ocean, together we can become a tsunami that can send a crushing message to Russia.

YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!

Slava Ukraini!

Who Dares Shares.

If you agree press the like button.

Robin Horsfall

Comment from :

Steve Phelps

Arguably, not just Russia, but any country that is supporting it should be banned from competing. So – Belarus, India, Pakistan, Iran, China, N Korea, Turkey at least. But in reality, many EU countries are still buying Russian oil through intermediaries, Indeed, UK trade with Russia (not just oil) in 2023 amounted to £2.1 billion according to UK Gov’s own data – a reduction of 75% since 2022. But £2.1 billion buys a lot of Iranian drones and N Korean howitzer shells. And then there is Germany…… its ambivalent position has undermined rhe EU response from the outset.

So where do we stop? Certainly Russia and Belarus should be booted out, but how do we define “supporting Russia” when so many countries have vital trade with Russia? The weakness of sanctions is they take time to bite. Even though the UK is still trading with Russia, the Gov under Boris Johnson swore to cease imports of fossil fuels, and has cut its imports by about 70%. But it takes time to realign our imports to new suppliers – and for those suppliers to ramp up production to meet new demand.

With the games just weeks away, it is probably too late for the IOC to develope a meaningful response that ultimately would achieve little and mean less.

Mac Ghadially

Robin Horsfall This is going to be a true test of my character and prove if I have the courage of my convictions. I have three neighbours in less than a 30 mtr radius who are going to compete this summer in Paris.

2 will represent GB in women’s hockey. One will be rowing in the ladies lightweight pairs. After the summer games, her category will be discontinued. Gonna have to put my ‘big boy’ pants on and nail my colours to the mast!

Jason Brookes

Robin, I agree with your comments, however this could play into the free world hands. Ie. By Increasing the support for Ukraine. At each event banners will be displayed to show the world what Russia is doing, this will prevent Russia showing it on main stream TV. But they will be seen over the internet. That will filter through to the Russia people who are being indoctrinated by the Russian media currently. In those events which Russia take part in, those watching turn there backs on those Russia athletes the message will be greater than what we could have ever hoped for. But it is now in our hands to make that statment.

Jan Siebenga 🇺🇦

Thoracic Surgeon np. The views expressed in my posts are my own.

Pavlo Prochan

The lords of the Russian Colonial Empire openly declare their wishes to erase other countries from the world’s map and to destroy the post-WW II order.

But the West still holds exhibitions of “Great Russian Culture”, believes that the Eurasian Empire is “anti-Imperialist”, British aristocrats and American billionaires marry high-ranked prostitutes from the “mysterious Russia”, and tolerate millions of pro-Putin’s in migrants who openly declare their hatred towards the West (when living in the UK, USA, Canada, EU).

Tom Lovric

If Russia is invited, the rest of the world should be boycotting this games.

Let them compete with Laos, Burkina Faso, China, and North Korea.

Star comment from Stuart Lothian:

100% agree Robin Horsfall! You’ve summed my thoughts entirely! While feeling very supportive towards the many thousands of innocent participants, from so many countries, I will watch nothing! – and treat the whole thing as a shameful non-event IF the IOC allows the sham you have described. Sanctions must be all-encompassing until ALL the murderering war criminals have been apprehended and charged! Putin & Co. have finished Ruzzia. Their pariah status is enshrined for ever! We must not allow his murderous marauding cult to annex our principles, while they trundle on 3 years into the prosecution of an illegal and unjustified assault on millions of innocents, composite of numerous untold attrocities, in addition to those for which HE has already been charged! No way!