Alina Kabayeva says that international rhythmic gymnastics will suffer with the exclusion of Russia.
Alina Kabayeva will have children with Russian President Vladimir Putin in April. AOP
President of Russia Vladimir Putin alleged mistress Alina Kabajeva took a stand on the exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions.
Kabayeva, 38, bearing the name of the children’s rhythmic gymnastics Alina Festival was held in Moscow on April 23rd. This year there were only participants from Russia.
The Olympic winner says Russian TASSin an interview that children and athletes should not suffer from the global situation.
– The purpose of Alina Festival is to unite children from all over the world and find the best, most talented athletes and leading specialists and coaches to watch them.
– I have always said that sports and politics are incompatible. Sports, like culture, should unite people, not distinguish them, Kabayeva continues.
Penalties promised
Alina Kabayeva (center) won the Olympic gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics in Athens in 2004 AOP
The festival itself, of course, looks quite political. The theme of the event was “The Great Patriotic War,” which refers to the battle between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II.
Kabayeva warned that the exclusion of the Russians would have a major impact on the international level of rhythmic gymnastics.
– This sport was born in our country and so far Russia has been a leader in rhythmic gymnastics. Russia’s absence will lead to a deterioration in rhythmic gymnastics. And we (the Russians) will develop.
– Today’s rules already limit the possibilities and development of rhythmic gymnastics. These rules must change, Kabayeva continues.
Russia has been largely excluded from top international sports since the start of the war of aggression. For Russia and Putin, sport has been a major shield polisher in other countries and a unifying factor within the country’s borders.