Ukrainian tennis star condemns IOC decision on Russian athletes
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has criticized the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to allow Russian athletes to compete in the upcoming Olympics, describing it as “terrible,” reports BritPanorama.
The IOC has provisionally lifted its suspension on Russian athletes, paving the way for their participation in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. This decision has reignited concern amid ongoing hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.
Following her recent victory over Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, Kostyuk, 24, expressed her displeasure with the IOC’s ruling and called for it to be reversed. “My thoughts are that it’s terrible. I think it’s very, very far from fair play for all the countries involved here, not just for Ukraine,” she stated.
“I 100 per cent don’t agree with this decision. I don’t think anything is going to change,” Kostyuk added, underscoring her determination to perform against any Russian competitors. “I just want to go out there and hopefully beat every single Russian I play in the Olympics, and that’s it.”
As the conflict intensifies, missiles have hit near her family home in Kyiv, where Kostyuk has shared her distress over the situation. Highlighting the emotional toll, she remarked on the impact of recent attacks: “It was really tough for me last week when the first big attack happened. Then, on Monday, they ruined four streets of residential buildings. It was like five kilometres away from where my parents live.”
Despite the turmoil, Kostyuk aims to inspire her compatriots through her performance. She commented, “I’m very happy that they get to witness this. I think they sacrificed so much time and energy for my tennis, for my career. They still do. They’re back home now. I feel like they deserve it as much as I do.”
In a climate where sport and geopolitics increasingly intersect, Kostyuk’s experience is a stark reminder of the real stakes involved. Her reflections underscore how, even in pursuit of glory, the shadows of conflict loom large, influencing not just athletes but their families and nations alike.
