Ukrainian tennis star Svitolina speaks out on 'neutral' athletes representing Russia and Belarus

Filed 1h ago · Via NV · The Buffoon Desk

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Waltz of Treachery

Kevin MacLeod · incompetech.com · CC BY 4.0

Photo: European Parliament Multimedia Centre · European Parliament · via Wikimedia Commons

Elina Svitolina told BBC News Ukrainian on Sept. 20 that she does not accept the category of ‘neutral athlete’ for competitors from Russia or Belarus, arguing they still represent an aggressor state regardless of designation. She said facing them is difficult but also serves as motivation.

Svitolina, ranked seventh by the WTA, will play for Ukraine at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenzhen starting Sept. 22, where Ukraine faces Belgium in the quarterfinals. She lost in the third round of the U.S. Open to Anna Kalinskaya, who competes under neutral status.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.

Source: Read the original at NV → Scored: Waltz of Treachery · Kevin MacLeod · CC BY 4.0

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