Yulia Levchenko gave an outspoken answer to Marija Lasitskene’s wishes.
Yulia Levchenko did not appreciate the appeal of the second high jump star. AOP
Ukrainian high jump star Yulia Levchenko has expressed its direct opinion to its Russian rival Marija Lasitskenen to an open letter to the IOC President on Thursday Thomas Bachille.
Although Lasitskene opposes the war, he believes the exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions is not fair and the Russian ban on competition should be lifted.
Levchenko responded fervently to a letter published by Lasitskene in the comment box on Instagram.
– When the full-scale attack began on the morning of February 24 and a missile hit five miles from my home, I trembled with fear and didn’t know who to call.
– I did not receive any messages from Russian athletes, Levchenko said of his experiences.
Levchenko wrote in a strict tone about how the Russians should internalize the atrocities of the war and the suffering of the Ukrainians, and proportionate the importance of sport in comparison.
– This is not a non-political sport or a policy in sport. This is about human lives! Life! That’s the most important thing of all – no medals or records.
– Do you think that sport is more important than the right to life? You are not allowed to race because you are Russian? They will only kill us because we are Ukrainians! Do you notice the difference ?, Levchenko roared.
Lasitskene won Olympic gold in Tokyo last summer, while Levchenko was eighth in the same race.