Australian sports legend Mark Boschich has warned that Russian athletes will be forced to speak out against their country’s government.
His comments come days after it was revealed that Russian and Belarusian tennis players will be banned from taking part in the Wimbledon Grand Slam, following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
This means that several players – including men’s world number 2 Daniil Medvedev – will be excluded from one of the four major tournaments of the season.
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“I think you’re crossing into dangerous territory when you start targeting an entire nation and an entire race because of the actions of a regime,” Bosnich told Nine’s. Sports Sunday.
“We know the shape of this diet…it’s very difficult. They passed a law now that anyone who protests in Russia faces 15 years in prison.
“It’s always easy for us at a distance to turn around and say ‘you should say this, you should say that’.
“They have families, and there’s no messing around, especially in these times. It is a very difficult thing.
“You have to be careful not to paint everyone with the same brush, especially the situation they’re in.”
Wimbledon bans Russian and Belarusian players
The All England Tennis Club’s decision to ban these players has been strongly criticized by athletes.
Former Australian star Casey Dellacqua can see both sides of the argument.
“I really have empathy for both parties. I think those people get penalized, it’s tough,” she said. Sports Sunday.
“I think a lot of it comes down to the optics, and what it looks like maybe in a presentation where the Royal Family is involved and what it might look like.
“It’s a shame they haven’t found a solution.”
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