Tatiana Tarasova: “When will someone stand up for us? When? It’s time to seriously think about what to do next. Those who have a chance to win at the Olympics should go, but for those competing for 5th-7th places, maybe there’s no point.”

IOC Confirms Neutral Status for Russian Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Tatiana Tarasova’s Comments

original source: TASS

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Russian athletes will be permitted to compete individually under neutral status at the 2026 Winter Olympics, under the same conditions as the 2024 Games, but they will once again be excluded from the opening ceremony’s athletes’ parade.

Tatyana Tarasova, voiced her disappointment and concern regarding the ongoing restrictions faced by Russian athletes. Here’s a translation of her comments.

“When will someone stand up for us? When? It’s time to seriously think about what to do next. Those who have a chance to win at the Olympics should go, but for athletes competing for 5th–7th places, maybe there’s no point. And without Russian hockey, what kind of Olympics is this, anyway?”

Tarasova called for decisive action and unity among Russia’s leaders:

“I believe strong leaders must come together at the highest level and decide on one serious, unified course of action. You cannot treat athletes this way. An athlete’s career is short, and no one has the right to make it even shorter.”

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, only 15 Russian athletes competed under neutral status.

Related topics: Olympic Games, Tatiana Tarasova