Russian Olympic team: adversity makes us stronger

In spite of the permission given by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) concerning Russia's participation in the Olympic Games in Rio, the Russian Olympic team found itself in unprecedentedly harsh conditions - but these difficulties will only unite the team in the fight for medals, Russian athletes and functionaries said, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza.

The President of the Russian Wrestling Federation, Mikhail Mamiashvili, pointed out that the team has never faced such a powerful international pressure in contemporary Russia. "Toda last names on the list of national teams are being specified. I hope that the athletes which will go to the Olympic Games will be even stronger when they pass through all of this psychological hardship. The difficulties have always united us, and we will adequately represent our country at the Olympic Games," he stressed.

Mamiashvili said that there are disputes in wrestling about each athlete individually. "Tomorrow or the day after is the time when finally we will be able to talk about the composition represented at the Olympic Games. The only serious problem is linked to Viktor Lebedev, but we do not stop trying to get a full explanation on this issue," the president of the Russian Wrestling Federation said.

A free style wrestler Shamil Kudiyamagomedov (up to 86 kg) admitted that his attitude toward pressure from international organizations is solely negative. "Of course, it is impossible to have a positive attitude toward the doping scandal. Only those who really did doping should be banned from the Olympics," the wrestler stressed.

Another free style wrestler Magomed Kurbanaliev (up to 65 kg) agreed with Kudiyamagomedov. "It is unpleasant that many of our athletes are not allowed, including all the athletes. It is a political decision, of course. We will perform for them also," he promised the athlete.

Four-time Olympic champion Alexei Nemov stressed at the official press conference, on the sidelines of which a conversation with Vestnik Kavkaza was held, that the Russian athletes, who will participate in the Olympics, should pull themselves together and perform. "I wish them to endure all of this with dignity and respect for opponents, as athletes from other countries are not to blame for such a situation with the Russian team. I am confident that we will have gold medals and we will meet our guys as heroes," the legendary Russian sportsman expressed confidence.

He also urged not to hurry up with guesses about the composition of the national team until July 28, when all lists to be agreed. "I think there will be unpleasant moments, but most of the athletes, who have been declared by the Russian Olympic Committee, will go to the Olympics," Alexei Nemov expects.

He also urged not to hurry up with guesses about the composition of the national team until July 28, when all lists to be agreed. "I think there will be unpleasant moments, but most of the athletes, who have been declared by the Russian Olympic Committee, will go to the Olympics," Alexei Nemov expects.

The first vice-president of the Russian Wrestling Federation, two-time Olympic champion, Arsen Fadzayev, in turn, expressed the opinion that the decision of the IOC is wrong. "I said that it is wrong almost immediately after the decision was taken, although many colleagues thanked the IOC and Thomas Bach. It's only been two days and we already see that not all our athletes will go. Now they will be banned at every turn. The problem is that it is even easier to press the federations than the IOC, "he said.

As a result, although formally the IOC has not violated the Olympic rules and Russian athletes weren't suspended on grounds of nationality, the conditions for a gentle removal of each Russian athlete individually through the decisions of the international federations have been created," the first vice-president of the Russian Wrestling Federation believes.