Photo credit: culture.ru
Instead of the national anthem at the Olympics, Russian athletes can use the Katyusha song, TASS reports. This proposal was made by the Athletes' Commission.
According to the head of the commission of the Russian Olympic Committee, Olympic champion in saber fencing Sophia Velikaya, several option were laid on the table during the discussion but in the end they chose Katyusha.
The legendary song is well known not only in Russia but in other countries as well. "That's why we proposed this song for consideration by the Executive Committee of the Russian Olympic Committee," Sophia Velikaya clarified.
Last December, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) abandoned the introduction of the principle of collective responsibility in relation to some Russian athletes, which the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) insisted on. According to the decision of the CAS, athletes from Russia who did not violate anti-doping rules will be able to take part in all international competitions, including the Olympics and Paralympics.
The court decided to reduce the period of Russia's suspension from participation in the Olympic Games and World Championships from four to two years. The sanctions will be in effect until December 16, 2022. However, there are indulgences in comparison with the last Games, where the Russians participated as neutral athletes. Now the uniforms of athletes can contain national colors and the word "Russia", the anthem remains banned at these competitions.
Russkiy Mir
