The Russian Wrestling Federation announced on Saturday that Russian wrestlers who had received authorization to compete in this year’s Summer Olympics have declined the invitation.
Initially barred from the Games due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) later permitted a limited number of Russian athletes to participate under a neutral flag, contingent upon meeting stringent criteria.
However, on Saturday, the national federation announced that 10 wrestlers who had cleared the eligibility checks would boycott the Games in protest against the IOC.
“We do not accept the unsportsmanlike selection principle that guided the International Olympic Committee when forming the list of eligible athletes, the purpose of which is to undermine the principle of unity of our team,” the federation said in a statement.
The executive committee, coaches, and wrestlers of the federation reached a unanimous decision to decline participation in the Olympic Games.
Athletes aiming to compete in Paris must demonstrate their disavowal of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and prove no affiliations with the country’s armed forces.
Those allowed to compete will do so under a neutral flag and will be ineligible for team events and the opening ceremony.
