Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina saddened by IOC decision on Belarusian athletes

ROME – Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina said it was painful to see the International Olympic Committee (IOC) clear the path for Belarusian athletes to return to the global stage under their own flag while Russia’s war against her country rages on.

The IOC had recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from events since 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has been used as a staging ground for the invasion.

However, the IOC said last week it no longer recommended restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes and teams in events governed by international federations and international sports event organisers.

Svitolina, who has continued to boycott the post-match tradition of shaking hands when she faces Russian and Belarusian opponents, said the decision was difficult to process given the ongoing conflict.

“Rockets are still going to Ukraine. Those two countries are still considered aggressors,” she told reporters at the Italian Open in Rome on May 10.

“For us, it’s very sad and very painful to see this even considered, they're talking about it.

“It’s a very heavy topic. I have a lot to say. I think now isn’t the best time. I’m definitely not supporting the talks.”

While they are banned from team competitions, Russian and Belarusian tennis players have continued competing on the professional tours as neutrals, without national flags or anthems.

The governing International Tennis Federation said on May 8 that the IOC’s announcement did not change its position regarding the suspensions of the Belarus and Russian tennis federations.

However, the membership status of Belarus will be considered at its October annual general meeting by voting member nations.

Belarusian world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said last week she hoped tennis governing bodies would “give us our flag back”.

On court in Rome on May 11, third seed Coco Gauff came back from a set down to win an all-American last-16 contest against Iva Jovic 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, setting up a quarter-final against eighth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva, who saw off Belgian Elise Mertens 6-3, 6-3.

Later, Svitolina beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova 6-2, 6-3. She will next face second seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan or Czech Karolina Pliskova.

In the men’s draw, top seed Jannik Sinner of Italy beat Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-2, 6-0 on May 11. He set up a last-16 date with Italian qualifier Andrea Pellegrino, who upset American Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (10-8), 6-1 earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, former world No. 4 Holger Rune has withdrawn from the Hamburg Open and the French Open as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles, the Dane said on May 11.

The 23-year-old had surgery in October to repair his Achilles. Rune’s best Grand Slam results include back-to-back quarter-final appearances at the French Open in 2022 and 2023, as well as a run to the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2023.

He was set to return to action in May in Hamburg, but opted against rushing his comeback on clay.
REUTERS