Russian biathlete Gerbulova believes that the suspension from international tournaments deprives children of incentives to play sports

Biathlete of the Russian national team Natalya Gerbulova believes that if the suspension from international tournaments lasts long enough, children will lose incentives to play sports.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the end of February recommended that federations prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions due to the situation in Ukraine. Most federations followed the recommendations and removed the Russians.

– I want the sport to not disappear now. It’s sad, but if this suspension situation continues, why do kids play sports?

Well, we, biathletes and skiers, can participate in three cycles of the Olympics, but what about gymnasts, figure skaters? They have one Olympics to show a good result. Our young men and juniors will not be able to see what we saw – the junior world championships, the winter and summer youth Olympic Games. It is very sad, insulting and unpleasant. I think that sport should always exist, regardless of what is happening in the world. I hope and believe that it won’t be for long,” Gerbulova told the Championship.

In September, the congress of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) extended the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions under its auspices.