Tarpishev defended Medvedev and other tennis players from criticism from the Russian Olympic Committee

The president of Russian Tennis Federation (FTR), Shamil Tarpischevtennis players are now defended by criticism of the Russian Olympic Committee (COR), who branded them “foreign agent group“for their willingness to participate in the Paris Games.

“Calling them foreign agents is nonsense. The athlete does the work to which he has dedicated his whole life and has never betrayed the country. “This is utter stupidity,” Tarpischev told the TASS agency.

I call maintain the unity of Russian sport and not put it at risk with statements like sa president of COR, Stanislav Pozdniakovwho last week accused Russian tennis players of often living abroad, playing for themselves and condemned the so-called special military operation in Ukraine.

“From my point of view, it is more correct to call them a group of foreign agents where there will be no difficulty in representing themselves at the Olympic Games,” said Pozdniakov.

In this regard, Tarpischev He recalled that no tennis player renounced Russian citizenship“as happens in other sports”, and estimated at The Russians won 102 races on the circuit this season.

“They are all playing and representing the country, and no claim can be made against them. Everyone knows that the winners are Russians, even if they compete without a flag” he insisted.

He also emphasized that Paris requires the same conditions from Russian tennis players as in the Tokyo Games, where The Russians won gold and silver in mixed pairs, and silver in men’s singles.

“The conditions neither improved nor worsened. I don’t understand the question. We conduct our activity within the framework of what has existed for a long time. AND With our successes we contribute to the glory of the people” he pointed out.

He emphasized that no tennis player has ever resigned from the Gamesalthough he considered it premature to discuss the matter, when The final selection will not be made until after Roland Garros.

Tarpischev also praised the ATP and WTA for defending the principle that politics is outside of sport and highlighted that No tennis player has ever refused to face a Russian representative.

Last week, Sports Minister Oleg Matitsin also deemed “unacceptable” a public investigation into athletes competing at an international level.

“We are a united sports family and in these difficult times it is necessary to unite and respect those who earned the right to participate in the Games with their work,” he said.

According to the Russian newspaper, MatitsinKremlin spokesmanDmitri Peskov, and the deputy prime minister and former head of the Sochi Winter Games organizing committeeDmitri Chernishenko, support participation in Parisas well as legends like Alexandr Karélin, triple Olympic wrestling champion, and Yevgeny Plúschenko, double skating champion.

while, Pozniakov is located on the other side and the heads of federations such as fencing, artistic gymnastics, swimming, rowing, sailing or weightlifting.

Russia has condemned the sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes adopted by the IOC Executivewhich includes not participating in the opening ceremony of the Games.

He also criticized the IOC’s decision that call governments and sports organizations not to participate in “political” competitions called by Moscow such as the World Friendship Games, an alternative to the Olympic Games.

Of course, positively appreciated the decision of the IOC of does not require Russian athletes to sign any documents where they condemned Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.