“It’s so humiliating to rejoice over something we rightfully deserve. We were unfairly suspended!” Ilia Averbukh shared his opinion on the possible return of Russian athletes to junior competitions
Ilia Averbukh shared his opinion on the return of Russian athletes.
original source: Sports
Ilia Averbukh called the exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions humiliating and stressed the importance of allowing juniors to compete for the future of the sport. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Previously, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that federations lift bans on the participation of Russians in youth competitions. The International Skating Union (ISU) stated it would consider this recommendation “at the appropriate time.”
“The blow to juniors was a punch to the gut, to be honest. It’s like cutting off the lifeblood of the sport’s future; in my opinion, this whole suspension is the most underhanded thing.
It really upsets me that we’re sitting here, actually happy that we’re being [allowed] somewhere… We were unfairly suspended! Now they’ve just cracked the door open, and we’re sitting here celebrating.
I understand why we’re happy on one hand. On the other, it’s so humiliating to rejoice over something we rightfully deserve. I always feel a sense of discomfort about this. But putting that aside, the return of junior sports is very important for the country, and it’s crucial for motivating children to continue in the sport.
Because, no matter what we say, when the window to international competitions is closed, it stops motivating some parents to have their children pursue sports,” Averbukh said on the show “Katok” on the “DobroFON” channel.
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