The Paris Olympics are scheduled to start in the last week of July next year. Preparations are on the move as athletes prepare for the biggest sporting event in history. The national pride is high for all, especially during times of conflict, as shared by Lesia Tsurenko. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has shaken the relationships between the players on the WTA and the ATP tour.
Tsurenko has openly taken a stand against playing with Russian and Belarusian athletes. The Ukrainian expressed disappointment that Russian athletes have been allowed to play under a neutral flag at the Paris Olympics. She said, “I can already tell that this will be the darkest Olympic Games I can remember” via Aroged. Tsurenko said that anything can happen while playing against Russians on tour.
Agree🙏 Fair play principles must be followed 💯 https://t.co/mRhi9qs7tj
— Lesia Tsurenko (@LTsurenko) February 14, 2023
She withdrew from Indian Wells this year during her third-round match against Aryna Sabalenka. The 34-year-old shared her issue with the authorities about playing against Sabalenka. She was told by WTA officials that individuals cannot be punished for their political viewpoints. Tsurenko is even ready to boycott the Olympics and is awaiting instructions from the top government officials in the country.
Lesia Tsurenko opposes the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics have already started bringing in controversies over their political views. Tsurenko has strong words for Russian and Belarusian athletes competing at the Olympic Games. She feels that the Russian and Belarusian players should only be allowed to watch the Olympics through television as an audience. Tsurenko mentioned Ukraine having the possibility of skipping the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The world No. 31 hopes that the Russian athletes will think like patriots and refuse to play under the neutral flag. Tsurenko felt that the grand slams are more critical for tennis players than playing at the Olympics. She wants the Russians and Belarusians banned from competing in the qualifications for the games. There have been no official statements yet from the Ukrainian Tennis Federation about the situation.
“I’ve just heard from 1 Belarusian she’s supporting us”
Ukraine’s @LTsurenko 🇺🇦on the tension she feels in tournament locker rooms due to on-going war.
Full interview in app, link in bio 📲#wimbledon pic.twitter.com/qUyrxQ2EhY
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) June 27, 2022
The Olympic officials have also confirmed their stance on the neutral flag situation. Similar instances were followed during Wimbledon this year as Russian and Belarusian players signed a neutrality deal. Things do not look bright for the Ukrainian players, as it will only get more difficult during the Olympic games. Players hope to receive support from officials, which can reduce the tension on the court.
