With the new year approaching, the date for the Paris Olympics is drawing nearer. The Olympics are undoubtedly the biggest event in the world of sports, as athletes put their best foot forward to etch their name in gold. There was a cloud of uncertainty over the participation of Russian and Belarussian athletes this time. The International Olympic Committee has finally come to a decision, but it has not sat well with Ukrainian tennis star Lesia Tsurenko.
Since Russia declared war on Ukraine, the fallout has affected all spheres of life, including sports. Tennis is no exception, and tensions still run high between players from the three countries. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine, had wanted athletes from Russia and Belarus banned from the Olympics. However, the IOC defied Zelenskiy and went forward with their decision.
Individual athletes who will participate have to play as neutral athletes, with no flags, emblems, or anthems allowed. Russian and Belarusian teams are still banned from playing at the event.
In light of this news, a lot of Ukrainian players have spoken out against the decision. Tsurenko lambasted the IOC and even hailed the Paris Olympics as one of the darkest ever.
“I don’t agree with the ICO’s decision. It is simply shocking and completely irrational. I can already tell that this will be the darkest Olympic Games I can remember. I don’t think that any of the Ukrainian athletes will agree to be in the same waiting room with athletes from Russia and Belarus,” said Tsurenko (via Championat).
Several tournaments, like the US Open, have allowed Russian and Belarussian players to play under a neutral flag. Several ATP and WTA players are expected to play at the event.
Which players will participate in the Paris Olympics?
The Olympic Games will begin on July 26, 2024, and tennis players will compete at Philippe Chatrier. This is the first time since 1992 that the matches will be played on the clay courts.
To qualify, the players must have played in the Davis Cup or the Billie Jean King Cup. There will be five events: men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. 64 players will feature in the first round of the singles events.
Many of the top players are expected to fight for the prestigious gold medal. At the last Games, Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic won the top honors. This time, with Rafael Nadal set to play, the competition between him and Novak Djokovic will be high. The Serb will be playing to win the Golden Slam in 2024, and Nadal is the ‘King of Clay’.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek will also be playing for the prestigious medal. Swiatek has already won the French Open three times and is the favorite for the top honors next year. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, and others are also among the favorites.
The Paris Olympics are set to be one of the biggest and grandest events in sporting history. The competition for the gold medal will be delightful to witness.