Acting Ukrainian sports minister Matviy Bidnyi has advised the country’s athletes to maintain composure and ignore any provocations from Russian counterparts at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Speaking to the Guardian, Bidnyi predicted that Russian athletes, competing as neutrals, will be used as part of Russia’s propaganda efforts.
Bidnyi’s remarks come in the wake of last year’s incident where Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan was expelled from the world championships for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent.
The incident has heightened concerns over potential provocations at the Olympics. “I would tell them to react in a proper way, a dignified way,” Bidnyi said.
“To understand and be aware that this provocation was made on purpose. To ignore such provocations with a cold head,” she added.
Kharlan, who initially faced exclusion from Paris 2024, was later reinstated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and will compete in August. Bidnyi emphasized that Ukrainian athletes have been instructed to limit their interactions with Russian athletes to the bare minimum, prioritizing their safety and focusing on maintaining a positive image.
“We consider Russian athletes to be agents of hybrid influence,” Bidnyi explained.
“We understand this is the way Russia starts war and conducts war: how it influences and manipulates thoughts. Sport is a very important part of their propaganda,” she added.
There have been numerous calls for the IOC to revoke the neutral status of Russian and Belarusian athletes, barring them from competition. Bidnyi noted the significant influence Russia wields in international sports and the slow but emerging pressure on sports federations to ensure good governance and integrity.
Ukraine is set to participate in the Paris Olympics under the slogan “Will to win,” as announced by Bidnyi and Vadym Huttsait, the current president of Ukraine’s national Olympic committee.
