Berlin (dpa / lby) - Beach volleyball player Karla Borger considers a possible participation of Russian athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris to be premature. She is currently not of the opinion that Russian athletes are allowed to start in Paris, said the 34-year-old, who is also chairwoman of the Athletes Germany Association, in an interview with the "Munich Merkur/tz media group" (Thursday edition).
Borger also cited the numerous doping offenses from the past as a reason for her position. "It's a fact that Russia has cheated world sport for years," said the vice world champion from 2013. Only when it is certain that Russian athletes are clean can a return be discussed. "I think there should have been regular tests for at least a year," said Borger.
Of course, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine also plays an important role. Borger asked whether one could really expect Ukrainian athletes to take part in a competition with Russian athletes.
An Olympics summit of the International Olympic Committee recently confirmed in principle that the punitive measures against Russia and Belarus should remain in place for the time being. Facilitations for the athletes are now to be discussed in further talks at the IOC level with world associations, athletes' representatives and national Olympic committees.
