Russian wrestler Milad Alirzaev has been admitted to the Paris Olympics on Friday, April 6, during the qualifying tournament in Baku.
Alirzaev openly supports Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
First, he participated in a propaganda tournament held in “memory of Russian hero Lieutenant General Kutuzov.” Roman Kutuzov was a Russian officer involved in the invasion of Ukraine, killed by Ukrainian forces in June 2022. Alirzaev willingly took part in what was not just a sporting event but a Kremlin-orchestrated pro-war propaganda operation disguised as a tournament.
Additionally, Alirzaev has liked several Instagram posts by Dagestani deputy Abdulaev Vagif, who openly supports Russia’s war in Ukraine:
- One post honors Russian soldiers fallen in Ukraine “for the greatness of their homeland.”
- Another expresses support for the families of mobilized soldiers who are “fulfilling their military duty to their country.”
- A third post commemorates a Russian soldier killed in Ukraine, stating, “we remember the exploits of our heroes.”
Once again, this highlights that not only is sport inherently political (as proven by the pro-war propaganda tournament), but also that Russian athletes are NOT neutral and actively support Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
As long as Russian bombs continue to rain down on Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes have no place at the Paris Olympics.
We will not let Russia turn #Paris2024 into the blood games.
#BloodGames2024
