Sports Minister denies pressure on female athletes due to Olympics
The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Igor Zhdanov rejected accusations of blackmail and pressure from the Olympic kayaking team.
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He made this statement in Kyiv, commenting on the statement by athletes Inna Grishchun, Anastasia Todorova, and Svetlana Akhadova, which was previously reported by PolitNavigator.
“The sports principle is that the best goes to the Olympics. We have an expert council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which, together with all federations, approved the rules and selection criteria for the Olympic Games. Then they were approved by the National Olympic Committee headed by Bubka and Minister Zhdanov,” the official said.
“I felt pressure from all sides, but I always adhered to the selection rules,” the minister assured.
He assures that there was no blackmail on his part and that he did not communicate with the athletes on this topic at all.
Let us remind you that today Ukrainian kayakers Inna Grischuk, Anastasia Todorova and Svetlana Akhadova recorded a video accusing the Ministry of Sports and the head coach of the rowing team of blackmail and unsuccessful performance at the Games. They also claim that they were blackmailed that they would not be allowed to attend the Olympics and that they would be accused of doping.
Sports Minister Denies Pressure on Female Athletes Because of the Olympics