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'I have the right to disagree with him,' Russian Daniil Medvedev gently but firmly pushes down ‘homeless’ claims made by Irina Viner as he holds his head high waiting for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Nikhil Sonmali | Last updated 4/10/24

Recent weeks have been marked by public discussions on how the neutral status of Russian athletes will participate in the Paris Olympics. The debate was triggered after former Russian Gymnastics player Irina Virna labeled the neutral-status athletes as a team of homeless people, but tennis star Daniil Medvedev disagreed with her.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russian athletes have been discriminated against in several competitions. However, in tennis, discriminatory rules were removed after a few months to allow for the smooth run of the sport. But, in other sports, Russian athletes faced stiff opposition, lingering the debate whether they would participate in the 2024 Olympics.

A few weeks ago, the Olympics Council announced that Russian athletes would only participate in the Paris Olympics in neutral status. The IOC added that Russian ‘neutral’ athletes will have their special flag, and anthem and will not participate in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Games.

Regarding Virna’s comment, Medvedev was asked about his position concerning the new IOC conditions for Russian players. The World No. 4 said if there’s opportunity he will go to the Olympic Games with all pleasure.

In life, every person has the right to his own opinion - just as I have the right to disagree with him. Everyone has their own reasons for thinking this way and not otherwise. For my part, I repeat: if there is an opportunity, I will go with pleasure. Daniil Medvedev said via Sports-Expressru

Medvedev competed at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but didn’t win any medals. He is hoping to add an international medal to his one Grand Slam win.

Daniil Medvedev aims to play at the Paris Olympics to make himself proud

Daniil Medvedev also revealed that he will play at the Olympics to make himself and others proud. The Russian earlier admitted he is willing to play at the Paris Games as neutral, despite the circumstances surrounding his country’s participation.

So I decided for myself that whenever I can play the Olympics, I want to be there I want to represent what I can represent. If it’s not under the flag, I know who I am, I know why I play tennis and I played like this all my life. So I’m gonna go there try to play well, try to make myself proud and some other people proud, and see how it goes. Daniil Medvedev said

At the moment, Medvedev awaits his first title of the season after reaching two finals. He is aiming for a change as the European clay swing kicks off. Medvedev’s open distaste for clay courts is world-renowned but he’ll have to swallow this bitter pill for the ultimate glory.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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