INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
lost the final to Italian tennis players Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned athletes from
Russia and Belarus from team sports in the Paris Games over Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.However, the IOC has allowed
their gradual return under a neutral banner, providing the athletes concerned meet strict conditions
In Paris, there are just 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians competing."It doesn't matter to me," said Andreeva when asked about competing as a
"I just go on the court to play and I fight
That's what we did together this week."Shnaider refused completely to discuss the ban on the Russian flag and anthem."We are here to fight
as a pair and we are very proud of that," she told a press conference
"I will not answer any questions about politics
I am here to talk about tennis."To be invited to Paris, "neutral individual athletes" who achieved good enough results to qualify had to
International sports federations and the IOC verified that the competitors did not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any links
with their countries' armies.Qualifying athletes were also not allowed to participate in the opening ceremony or compete under their
national flags.A Message from The Moscow Times:Dear readers,We are facing unprecedented challenges
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our staff at risk of prosecution
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