Asia

Russian sports veterans protest the war

March 1, 2022
Henry Club

#Unnecessary. The Russian hashtag Nat Voynye (PR: Niyat Vayneye) sadly appeared on social media over the black background of some of Russia’s most respected sports profiles, as athletes from the sports powerhouse claimed post-war protests against Ukraine’s invasion. In what could be unprecedented public expression in that part of the world, young champions – big names in their respective sports – weighed in on the situation by calling for pacifism and peace and an end to violence.

Big statement:

1. Daniil Medvedev, Tennis World No. 1

“Today, I want to speak on behalf of every child in the world. They all have dreams, their life is just beginning, so many wonderful experiences are to come. That’s why I want to ask for peace in the world, for peace between countries. Children are born with an intrinsic belief in the world, they believe so much in everything, in people, in love, in safety, in justice, in their chances in life. Let’s stick together and show them it’s true, because not every child should stop dreaming. ,

The Russian, who replaced Novak Djokovic as tennis’s men’s world No 1 a day later, remained authentic in his social media post addressing the situation. Medvedev spoke with despair of “the end of a child’s dream” after losing in the final of the Australian Open last month. And he was in the same vein—stepping in the shoes of a child, so to speak—aware of the destruction and death that a war could bring.

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2. Andrey Rublev, Tennis World No. 6

“It’s not about my match [or] How does it affect me because what is happening is far more terrifying. You realize how important it is to have peace in the world and to respect each other no matter what and stay united. ,

The Russian world No. 6 inscribed “No War Please” on a TV camera lens after his semi-final win over Hubert Harkaz at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Millions of people watched the video clip immediately after the fistfight. Russian tennis players have always been wildly expressive on the court, but the 24-year-old seemed overcome with emotion, stepping outside the athlete’s bubble, getting ready for the big picture after reaching the final, as he later said: “In these moments, you realize that my match is not important.” These are conflicting times for the Russian players because in near-peace conditions (up to a fortnight ago), Rublev was playing Marseille with Ukrainian Denis Molchanov. Open doubles title.

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3. Alex Ovechkin, ice hockey greats, and Nikita Zadorov

“Please, no more wars. It doesn’t matter who is at war – Russia, Ukraine, different countries – I think we have to live in peace and a great world.”

The NHL darling, who has an avid follower in Russia and belongs to the “Great Eight”, while being a follower of Vladimir Putin after the Crimean invasion, Ovechkin, 36, has been a man of pride. The Russians always viewed ice hockey as more than just a sport, with discourses from the entire Cold War zipped on the ice. But previously speaking to American journalists in Philadelphia, Ovechkin appealed “no more war” after repeating “I am just an athlete”, and did not criticize Putin, as he said: “He is my president. ” Fellow hockey player Nikita Zadorov, 26, of the Calgary Flames, wrote “no war” in red on black, and urged more in “stop it” in his caption.

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4. Pavel Sivakov

“First of all, I just want to say that I am completely against war and cannot contain (my head) about what is happening in Ukraine. All my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. Secondly , I also want people to understand that most Russians only want peace and never asked for all this to happen, we should not become targets of hatred just because of our origins. I know from these few lines the current situation But it won’t matter, but I wanted to share it.

Born in Italy to Russian cyclist couple Alexei Sivakov and Alexandra Kolyaseva, 26-year-old Pavel, a Team Ineos Grenadiers cyclist who has won stage races at the Tour of the Alps and Tour de Polon, has been named “Most Russian” by Cyclingweekly.com was cited as. Wanted peace.” His tweet has been RTed 700 times and liked by nearly 10,000 people. He holds dual Russian-French citizenship.

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5. Larisa Kuklina, Biathlon Europe medalist

“What’s up!? Stop yourself! We live in the 21st century!”

Larisa Kuklina, 31, posted a photo of herself with a heart divided in the flags of Russia and Ukraine, urging countries to come up to scratch with 21st-century sensibility. While the International Biathlon Federation withdrew the events from Russia, the biathlete was enraged by the impending ghost.

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6. Fedor Smolov, football

#not good

Well-known Russian football player Fedor Smolov, 32, who hailed Andrey Shevchenko and Georg Weh as footballers, was among the first Russian footballers to hit Instagram and post the hashtag Notovar. The Dynamo Moscow player, who returned to his first club after 11 years, scored in the opener on Saturday in a 3-0 win over FC Khimki. Between 2015-18, the three-time Russian footballer was part of the team that knocked out Spain in the FIFA 2018 World Cup. He is rumored to be in a relationship with Maria Shumayeva, the granddaughter of Boris Yeltsin.

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7. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Tennis Ace

“Personal ambition or political motives cannot justify violence. It not only takes away our future but also our children’s. Stop the violence, stop the war.”

Posting on her social media, French Open 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova made the most direct and sharp comment on the situation, urging an end to violence and war. In a candid statement, she wrote, “I have been playing tennis since childhood. I have represented Russia all my life. This is my home and my country. But now I am in complete fear, as are my friends.

“But I am not afraid to state my position clearly. I am against war and violence.”

This was the strongest sign of unease among Russian athletes.

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8. Ian Nepomniachchi, Peter Svidler, Nikita Vitiugov, Alexandra Kosteniuk

“I will make my position clear,” he said. You cannot defend yourself in someone else’s territory. Russians and Ukrainians are brothers, not enemies. Stop the war.” – Nikita Vitiugov, as translated from Russian by Chess

A group of Russia’s top chess grandmasters, including Vitiyugov, a member of former World Championship squads, expressed their dismay at Russian actions in Ukraine. GM Peter Swidler wrote, “Today’s silence has become possible. Say no to war.” GM Alexandra Kosteniuk posted a blank desperately black blank, while Russian IM Alina Bivole urged the world not to hate Russians for “actions of the authorities”.

World Championship contender Ian Nepomniachtchi called the start of the attacks “blacker than any Black Thursday”.