Zhan Beleniuk’s Open Letter to Roman Vlasov
Zhan Beleniuk, a Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestler and member of parliament, has publicly denounced Russian athlete Roman Vlasov. The criticism stems from Vlasov’s decision to run for the State Duma as a candidate for the United Russia party. Beleniuk accused Vlasov of backing Russia’s political leadership and of signing a contract with the Russian military prior to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vlasov, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, openly endorsed Russia’s aggression, which began on February 24, 2022. Beleniuk also pointed out that Vlasov spent time fishing in the Maldives, a detail that further fueled the Ukrainian wrestler’s condemnation.
“I want to tell Roma—you are a damned scumbag, you serve the devil, you are a fiend and a bastard. People like you, who serve such regimes, should be despised, and no one should shake your hand. Because of sycophants like you, people die every day all over the world.”
Zhan Beleniuk
These remarks were published by Glavkom, citing Beleniuk’s Instagram account. In a related context, the International Gymnastics Federation has lifted all restrictions on Russia and Belarus, while World Athletics continues to ban Belarusian track and field athletes until peace is restored in Ukraine. These contrasting decisions have sparked mixed reactions within the sports community, particularly among Ukrainian athletes who remain vocal in their outrage over Russian colleagues supporting the aggression.
Politics and Sports: An Intersection of Tensions
Beleniuk’s statements highlight the intense emotions and friction between Ukrainian and Russian athletes amid the war in Ukraine. They also illustrate how political developments force many sports figures to navigate the difficult choice between career advancement and moral integrity. Ongoing debates over sanctions and the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions continue to strain cross-border relations within the sporting world during the conflict.