30 March 2023 , 18:41
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A Ukrainian tennis star who has led the argument that athletes from Russian and Belarus should be banned from competing says she has lost "moral strength" to continue battling sport chiefs.
Former world No.3 Elina Svitolina says she has had "so many meetings" with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) along with both the men's and women's tennis organisations. Since the war in Ukraine began over a year ago there has been no ban of athletes from Russian or their allies Belarus competing in tennis - unlike in other sports.
Wimbledon was the only major tournament which prevented athletes from both countries from playing at SW19 resulting in a fine and ranking points being withdrawn from the tournament.
In an attempt to prevent tougher sanctions being imposed this year Wimbledon are set to reverse that decision.
Svitolina, who has won 16 titles, has been involved in raising money and awareness for Ukraine since Russia invaded her country last year. The former Wimbledon and US Open semi-finalist says she has lost "moral strength" talking with the sport's governing bodies.
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"Their most common argument is that sports belong outside of politics," the 28-year-old told the Kyiv Post. "They say that athletes have nothing to do with politics.
"I already have had so many meetings with various officials of the Olympic Committee and tennis organisations that, to be honest, I no longer have the moral strength to fight them. After all, they just don't want to open their eyes and face the truth."
Elina Svitolina has been campaigning for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned from competing amid the war in Ukraine (Elina Svitolina has been campaigning for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned from competing amid the war in Ukraine)Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka won her first career Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January while Russian Daria Kasatkina is currently world No.8.
In the men's game Russian players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev are also in the world's top-10.
“This is clearly not fair," added Svitolina. "Russian athletes have the opportunity to continue playing as if nothing ever happened. And our athletes are dying for our country.
"It's hard for me to say how they are treated, because I didn't take part in competitions (over the past year). But I don't think anything has changed there. The WTA and ATP tennis associations still allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to continue playing.”