Russian tennis stars were allowed to participate in the Olympics. Are there any adequate people left in world sports?

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is one of the few that constantly cooperates with the Russians and Belarusians, despite geopolitical realities. She did not betray herself in the context of the Olympics. Now tennis players from Russia and Belarus will be able to go to Paris for Olympic medals!

But the question arises under what conditions their participation will be organized.

There is a chance for all Olympic medals

The decision on the admission of Russians and Belarusians was published on the official ITF website. It notes that it coincides with the opinion of the majority of international federations. Its essence is permission to participate in a neutral status at the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

— The ITF confirms that tennis players from Russia and Belarus are allowed to participate in Olympic and Paralympic competitions in an individual and neutral capacity. They must meet the selection and admission requirements that are in our rules. This position is in accordance with the international tennis policy adopted in March 2022, says the ITF official website.

Officially, Russians and Belarusians are allowed to compete in the individual competition. At the same time, the ITF is ready to allow performances in pairs and mixed doubles. This gives you a chance to collect all the Olympic medals.

Karen Khachanov / Photo: © Du Xiaoyi/XinHua/Global Look Press

Russia, as one of the leaders in world tennis, has four quotas each in men’s and women’s singles. Currently, Daniil Medvedev, Andrei Rublev, Karen Khachanov and Roman Safiullin, as well as Daria Kasatkina, Lyudmila Samsonova, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Veronika Kudermetova are selected for Paris.

The ATP and WTA rankings, on the basis of which the lists of Olympic participants will be formed, will be published on June 10, the day after the end of Roland Garros. At the same time, it is not yet clear what quota the ITF will allocate to neutral athletes.

“This is super-duper great!”

Of course, the decision to allow admission was received positively. Olympic tennis champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov believes that absolutely all eligible Russians will go to Paris. However, it is too early to name them.

— The decision is positive, of course. It’s too early to say about the prospects. Anything can happen before summer. God forbid someone gets injured,” Kafelnikov told Match TV.

Evgeny Kafelnikov / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Sergey Guneev

Honored Coach of Russia Vladimir Kamelzon believes that there are sensible people left in the ITF leadership who can make smart decisions.

— Somewhere, little by little, people are starting to wake up to the reality that exists. Whatever the status, it is impossible to hide the country and talented guys. Not everyone who is against Russia is rabid. Apparently, the ITF has common sense,” Kamelzon noted for Match TV.

Roland Garros semi-finalist and former world number nine Andrei Chesnokov was sincerely happy with the ITF decision.

– This is super-duper great! I’m glad that there is some kind of humanity. Before this, someone said that pairs and mixed doubles are team competitions. We were admitted to all categories – this is great. “I’m very happy for the tennis players,” Chesnokov told Match TV.

ITF saved the Olympic tournament

The admission of Russian and Belarusian tennis players to the Olympics is logical. Without them, any competition certainly cannot be considered the most elite in the world. The absence of conditional Daniil Medvedev, Andrei Rublev or Arina Sabalenka significantly impoverishes tennis and reduces interest in it. The ITF, with its decision, actually saved the Olympic tournament, and this cannot but rejoice.

Of course, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has no particular love for Russia and Belarus, can have its say. Do not forget about the notorious declarations and other papers – they can be forced to sign, thereby involving athletes in political intrigue. Here we can only rely on the authority and prudence of the ITF, which knows perfectly well how Russians and Belarusians can play in modern realities.