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‘Never be the same’: Olympics call on Russians divides sporting world

Russian President Vladimir Putin's (pictured left) speaking and tennis star Daniil Medvedev (pictured right) during the Australian Open final.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's (pictured left) barbaric call to invade Ukraine could have huge ramifications for Russian athletes such as tennis star Daniil Medvedev (pictured right). (Getty Images)

The sporting world has been has left pondering the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) historic call to ban all Russian and Belarusian athletes from sport in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

International uproar has erupted following President Vladimir Putin's decision for Russia to invade Ukraine in a move that has seen unprecedented sanctions being handed down on the nation.

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The sporting world has also followed in the footsteps of world leaders with sanctions.

FIFA, football's world governing body, and UEFA, the sport's European governing body, announced that they have banned all Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions "until further notice."

The suspension will likely remove Russia from next month's World Cup qualifying playoffs, and end its hopes of earning a berth at the most prestigious tournament in international sport.

FIFA's decision came hours after the IOC's executive board recommended that sports federations and event organisers "not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions." (Belarus has supported the Russian invasion.)

While world sport has been showing its support for Ukraine during the horrible invasion, the call from the IOC sparked a conversation about individual athletes being punished.

One such sport, which could be heavily impacted is tennis.

Russian Daniil Medvedev just overtook Novak Djokovic to become the men's World No.1.

It was the first time since 2004 that someone other than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray has held the ranking.

Daniil Medvedev (pictured) waving to the crowd.
The ITF have yet to make a decision on whether they will follow other sports' sanctions on Russian athletes after the IOC's call. (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)

Countryman Andrey Rublev is World No.6.

Both players have called for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.

Russian World No.14 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova went one step further and spoke out against her own government in a brave statement calling for an end to the war in Ukraine.

However, Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina said she won't compete against any Russian athletes on the Tour while the conflict continues.

If tennis' governing body is to follow the IOC's call, the above athletes could be impacted in up-coming events such as Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

This sparked a mix of opinions on social media.

One fan said the current global climate has changed sport forever with the IOC's decision a watershed moment.

She claimed the IOC will no longer be able to remain politically neutral in the future following their latest statement.

Daniil Medvedev's World No.1 ranking under cloud

On the weekend, Ukrainian Tennis Federation urged the sport's governing body the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to immediately expel Russia and Belarus from the organisation and ban Russia from team and individual tournaments.

In a letter seen by Reuters, the Ukrainian federation described the actions of Russia and Belarus in Ukraine over the past four days as "unprecedented, cynical and bloody".

In a step further, Ukrainian Tennis Federation board member Seva Kevlych said Medvedev and other Russian players should be barred from Grand Slam tournaments.

"Let (Medvedev) play on the ATP Tour but Grand Slams are ITF events and if you lose the possibility to play in Grand Slams he could never be World No.1," Kevlych said.

Ukrainians, Russians, Brazilians gather in front of the Russian consulate in Leblon.
Ukrainians, Russians, Brazilians gather in front of the Russian consulate in Leblon. (Photo by FABIO TEIXEIRA/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"He shouldn't play in the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon.

"I don't care that Russia is the holder of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. It would shame them when the holders are kicked out of these events.

"For Daniil to not represent the (Russian team) it's not a big penalty for him but it's a big shame for him. To represent a team with no flag, no anthem and no history in a team event, probably it would make him do the right thing."

It remains to be see how the ITF will react to the IOC's call.

with Reuters

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