Tennis Fans Around the World React as IOC Recommends a Ban on Russian Athletes

The situation has been difficult to boil down in Eastern Europe. Due to geopolitical tensions, the entire world is on its feet. This conflict has affected the sporting world too. Recently, the UEFA announced that the finals of the Champions League will be moved to Paris, which was originally scheduled to take place at Saint Petersburg.

Now, even the International Olympic Committee recommended banning Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events, which may also affect the tennis stars like Daniil Medvedev.

Medvedev has been on the top of his game recently. He became the top-ranked men’s singles player only yesterday. Moreover, he came close to winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles, losing narrowly to Rafael Nadal in the summit clash of the Australian Open 2022. However, with the rise in global tensions, the IOC’s decision may come as a huge blow to the tennis star as he is at the peak of his career.

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Tennis Fans react to the IOC’s decision

Fans across the globe took to Twitter to express their opinions on this matter. Jon Wertheim said-

Additionally, another fan wrote, “In the Olympic Charter, the IOC contains the following passage: Every person shall have the possibility to practice sport, without discrimination of any kind and reflecting the Olympic spirit of mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Notably, another Twitter user felt that sport has changed, and it will never be the same. She said, “This has changed the Olympics forever, perhaps the most significant decision the IOC has ever made: no more can they claim political neutrality, or that the athlete’s right to compete is sacred. Agree with it or not, sport will never be the same.”

A fan that supported the IOC’s decision, said, “Good decision by IOC. It reflects the ideas of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement. Sport is a powerful tool to promote peace.”

Another fan welcomed the IOC’s decision, saying, “Now more than ever, sport needs to stand up and show itself once again to be a great unifying force in the world. I welcome this strong action from the IOC. We all are standing with the people of Ukraine at this time.”

Undoubtedly, the coming days will be crucial to determine how the IOC’s decision will impact the sporting world. What are your thoughts about the recommendation of the IOC to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes?

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