04/04/2024
Russians have been allowed to participate in the 2024 Olympics. The names of the athletes who have received preliminary licenses are already known. Next, the IOC must verify whether they meet the criteria of neutrality. However, among these names, there are many who openly support the Russian war against Ukraine. Some of them are even military personnel. And despite their "neutrality" on the sports arena, they actively support the war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine in their public statements. In this article, we will tell you more about the positions of Russian "neutral" athletes. The article was prepared in collaboration with 24tvua.
These people are eagerly welcomed by Europeans to the 2024 Olympics, which will take place from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. Athletes from different countries will come together to compete for the title of Olympic medalists. The competition will also include Russians and Belarusians. Although they will not perform under the flags of their countries, their presence is not neutral, considering their active support for the war in their social networks or public statements.
Russians always remain Russians despite "neutrality." This was clearly seen at the Australian Open 2023, when fans of a Russian tennis player, who performed "neutrally," displayed a banned Russian flag. Molfar identified those fans at the time. Or the scandal with the "neutral" Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev, who swore at the referee in Russian (which is also banned in the sports arena) during a competition in Dubai. Rublev was then disqualified.
Molfar has prepared a register of Russian and Belarusian athletes who support the war that Russia has started against Ukraine, or who keep silent about their position, thereby giving their tacit consent to the atrocities committed by Russians on the territory of Ukraine. You can view the list at the link.
Russian athletes who support the war, yet also hold an Olympic license
Uguiev Zaur Rizvanovych (Russian — Угуев Заур Ризванович)
Zaur Uguev, born on March 27, 1995, in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia, is a freestyle wrestler in the 57 kg weight class. He won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games and two world championship titles in 2018 and 2019. Uguev was awarded the Russian "Order of Friendship" in August 2021, a state award of the Russian Federation given for special merits in strengthening peace.
In reality, Zaur is only favorable towards the "Russian world." He propagates the war and participates in rallies supporting Putin (1, 2). For example, in March 2022, he took part in a pro-war rally in Moscow.
The athlete was featured at the event for Russia Day in the Ulyanovsk region, 'Strong wrestling - strong people - strong country.' The poster and the stage where the event was held displayed the Z and V symbols, which became symbols of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
He also participated in Iranian competitions in December 2023. Iran, like Russia, is under international sanctions due to systematic human rights violations, support for terrorism, including Hezbollah, and actively shares its military technologies with Russia. In particular, they sell "Shaheds" and missile weapons to the Russians.
Zaur has already been officially granted permission to participate in this year's Olympic Games.
Sidakov Zaurbek Kazbekovych (Russian — Сидаков Заурбек Казбекович)
Zaurbek Sidakov was born on March 14, 1996. He is another Russian freestyle wrestler, competing in the 74 kg weight class. He is the current Olympic champion and a three-time world champion, having won his titles in 2018, 2019, and 2023.
Zaurbek was educated in Beslan, where a terrorist attack occurred at School No. 1 in 2004. He claims in interviews that he was not at school on the day of the attack. However, today Zaurbek gladly supports Russian terror against Ukraine.
He is a military officer with the rank of ensign in the Russian armed forces. He has been awarded the "Medal for Military Valor" II degree and an honorary diploma from the Russian Ministry of Defense. In 2019, he received income from the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Central Sports Club of the Army (CSKA). He remains a member to this day.
He was particularly proud of the award he received from Russian President Putin. In 2021, when he received the "Order of Friendship," he wrote a post on Instagram with the caption:
“I am proud to receive the Order of Friendship from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. Now we are friends.”
Documents:
TIN: 151102098048
Abdulaev Ramazan Khazhovych (Russian — Абдулаев Рамазан Хажонович)
Ramazan Abdulayev Khazhovich was born on April 30, 1998, in the Tlyaratinsky District of Dagestan. He is a Russian judoka who competes in the 60 kg weight category. He won a silver medal at the Grand Slam in Paris and Abu Dhabi in 2021.
In 2020, he visited the Russian-occupied Crimea. In August 2022, he participated in the Spartakiad in Kazan.
He received a license to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Documents:
TIN: 53602471220
Larin Vladislav Vladimirovich (Russian — Ларин Владислав Владимирович)
Russian taekwondo athlete, Olympic champion, and 2020 world champion. Twice European champion. Born on October 7, 1995, in Kotkozero, Karelia. He won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the over 80 kg category.
Larin is an athlete from CSKA, whose website features his biography and a photo with Shoigu. In 2017-2018, he served in the CSKA military service, and this army club paid him income.
He also received the "Order of Friendship" from Putin and has a joint photo with the Russian dictator.
Documents:
TIN: 100126396480
Russian athletes who can obtain an Olympic license in 2024
Mikhail Sergeevich Igolnikov (Russian — Игольников Михаил Сергеевич)
Igolnikov is another friend of Putin. He publicly praised Putin's judo skills. Igolnikov was born in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, on October 15, 1996. Igolnikov is a judoka and an active Russian military serviceman. He holds the rank of ensign in the Russian Armed Forces. Awarded the Medal "For Merit to the Fatherland" II degree.
He belongs to CSKA and participated in the 2019 World Military Games. He also received a salary from CSKA.
Documents:
TIN: 236504836287
Tasoev Inal Valikoevich (Russian — Тасоев Инал Валикоевич)
Mikhail Igolnikov was born on February 5, 1998, in Vladikavkaz. He is the 2023 World Judo Champion. Putin congratulated him on this victory. Additionally, Tasoev is an active military member of the Russian Federation. He holds the rank of warrant officer in the armed forces of the Russian Federation and has been awarded the "For Strengthening Combat Brotherhood" medal.
He is also part of CSKA and participated in the 2019 World Military Games. He received a salary from CSKA. In June 2023, Putin congratulated Tasoev on his victory at the World Championship. As of May 2023, he followed a Russian military member named Kachmazov on Instagram, who is participating in the war against Ukraine. Tasoev liked his posts with videos dedicated to the eliminated Russian occupier Akhmat Zaseev in Ukraine and was also tagged in Eduard Kachmazov's stories. As of December 2023, Tasoev has unfollowed everyone (1).
Documents:
TIN: 151208582121;
Passport: 9017252429
Gilyazov Sabina Albertivna (Russian — Гилязова Сабина Альбертовна)
Judoka. Born on September 30, 1994. Trains in Chelyabinsk. She is a bronze medalist of the 2021 European Championship and holds the title of International Master of Sports of Russia. Belongs to CSKA and also received a salary there.
Documents:
TIN: 740106946882
Mezhetska (Kurbonmamadova) Darya Evgenievna (Russian — Межецкая Дарья Евгениевна)
Mezhetskaya was born on July 24, 1994. She is the Russian judo champion of 2016, 2017, and 2022. Competes in the weight category up to 57 kg. Like many other athletes on this list, she belongs to the Central Sports Club of the Army (CSKA) and received a salary there. On the CSKA website itself, she is referred to as an "army athlete."
In addition, in 2021 she visited Crimea occupied by Russia and used the services of the "Gemotest" clinic there.
Among other "achievements" of this judoka is her overt support for the Putin regime. In particular, she wore a T-shirt with the inscription "Army of Russia."
Documents:
TIN: 590848211828;
Passport: 5714230425
Taimazova Madina Andreevna (Russian — Таймазова Мадина Андреевна)
Judoka from the city of Sunzha, North Ossetia (a region of Georgia occupied by Russia). Madina was born on June 30, 1999. She is a bronze medalist of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the weight category up to 70 kg. Awarded the Medal "For Merit to the Fatherland" II degree. In September 2021, she thanked Putin for the awards of athletes.
Belongs to CSKA, where she receives a salary. At the same time, she is also an active ensign in the Russian army. She has photographs near a poster with Putin “For Putin! For victory! For the people!”
Documents:
TIN: 151210440935
Let's focus on five more Russian athletes who support Putin and the Russian war of aggression. We'll briefly mention them. These include two tennis players - Daniil Medvedev and Karen Khachanov. We have already written about their position in this article.
Judoka - Elizaveta Starceva (Russian: Старцева Элис Антоновна) (Russian passport - 4521345697), who belongs to CSKA. Tennis player Veronika Kudermetova (Russian: Кудерметова Вероника Эдуардовна) (Russian passport - 4518105191, TIN - 165720836751) also belongs to CSKA and received income from the Russian Ministry of Defense's FAU. However, in May 2023, she lied about having no connections with this club (1, 2, 3, 4). Also, Russian swimmer Ivan Girev (Russian: Гирёв Иван Александрович) (TIN - 761600348399). He has received several state awards in 2021 and 2022 and thanked the Russian government for them.
The participation of these "neutral" athletes puts into question the fundamental principles of the Olympics. By allowing Russians who supported Russian military aggression, they are given not only a platform to promote the war but also an opportunity to earn money. Let's not forget that all these athletes are citizens of Russia, who pay taxes there.
Our research calls on the international community, including the organizers of the Olympic Games, to consider not only the physical preparation and qualification of athletes but also their moral position. Especially in the context of global conflicts and the Russian-Ukrainian war in particular.
