ROME : Elina Svitolina said it was painful to see the International Olympic Committee move towards allowing Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flag again while the war in Ukraine continues.
The IOC had recommended in 2022 that Russian and Belarusian athletes be barred from international competition following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which used Belarus as a staging ground.
Last week, however, the IOC said it no longer recommended restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes and teams in competitions overseen by international federations and event organisers.
Svitolina, who has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents since the start of the war, said the discussions were difficult for Ukrainian athletes to accept.
“Rockets are still going to Ukraine. Those two countries are still considered aggressors,” Svitolina told reporters at the Italian Open on Sunday.
“For us it’s very sad and very painful to see this even considered. They’re talking about it.
“It’s a very heavy topic. I have a lot to say. I think now isn’t the best time. I’m definitely not supporting the talks.”
Russian and Belarusian tennis players have continued to compete on the professional tours as neutral athletes without national flags or anthems, although both countries remain suspended from team competitions.
The International Tennis Federation said on Friday that the IOC’s latest position did not alter the suspensions of the Russian and Belarusian tennis federations.
The governing body added that Belarus’s membership status would be reviewed by voting nations at its annual general meeting in October.
Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka said last week she hoped tennis authorities would eventually “give us our flag back.”
