“Nothing changed at all”
Wellbrock speaks out against Russian return
07/14/2023 09:42 am
In the discussion about a possible comeback of Russian swimmers on the international stage, Florian Wellbrock has a clear opinion. In view of the current situation in the war, he would have no sympathy for returning. He has great respect for a training partner.
Olympic champion Florian Wellbrock is against a possible return of swimmers from Russia and Belarus to international competitions. “It’s kind of strange. The IOC and the world associations had spoken out against the starts of Russians and Belarusians. Now the political situation between Russia and Ukraine hasn’t changed at all and suddenly there’s this about-face,” said Wellbrock. “I see that as a problem and I can’t understand it.”
Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, no athletes from Russia and Belarus are admitted to the World Championships, which begin in Fukuoka, Japan. However, the world association World Aquatics basically supports the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to let them start again as neutral athletes under certain conditions. A task force is dealing with the issue. At a congress during the World Cup, discussions will be held on how to deal with this in the future.
“No more respect” for Russian athletes
Wellbrock trains in Magdeburg together with world-class swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk. The 26-year-old Ukrainian worries about his family and fears for his career if Russian athletes are reinstated. “You notice it from time to time. He’s only human and brings emotions to training,” said Wellbrock. “We talk to each other a lot. It’s always a bit of group therapy for everyone, no matter what worries you bring with you. That’s what the training group is there for. But you don’t really notice it in terms of performance. I take off my hat every day, like this boy Guy that handles everything.”
In an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Romantschuk himself talks about the possible return of Russian athletes. In the event of a readmission to the Olympic Games in 2024, he would probably refrain from a boycott and compete against them. “I would want to show them there that we are strong, that we can beat them, that we are better than them – in a sporting sense. In the pool, in the stadium, in the boxing ring, everywhere.” But he can’t shake hands with Russian athletes: “I have no more respect for them and for everything that happened.”
Romanchuk does not know whether he will even be allowed to start if Russian athletes are re-admitted. “If they actually give the green light for Russian athletes to compete again, it will be up to the Ukrainian government. It will then no longer be my decision whether I can continue my profession or not.” Ukraine recently banned all of its athletes from participating in competitions involving Russians or Belarusians.