Interview with Kris Mykhailov about sports and politics
South African swimmer Kris Mykhailov gave an interview after his performance at the tournament in St. Petersburg, in which he compared modern Russia to Nazi Germany. He expressed the opinion that sports should remain outside of politics and called for establishing international connections instead of applying sanctions.
Mykhailov, who is a winner of the junior world championship, emphasized that athletes do not influence international processes. This statement became particularly relevant after World Aquatics suspended Russia from participating in international competitions in March 2022. According to the swimmer, it is important to focus on sports that can unite people rather than divide them.
Situation of Russian athletes
It should be noted that starting from January 1, 2026, Russian athletes will be able to participate in team disciplines, which opens up new opportunities for returning to the international arena. However, recently, news broke regarding Klepikova, a world and European champion in swimming, who was added to the database of 'Peacemaker'. This case highlights the complexity of the situation in the sports world, where political and social factors can significantly affect athletes' careers.
“Sports should remain outside of politics”
Kris Mykhailov
Thus, Mykhailov's position on the necessity of separating sports from politics and calling for cooperation in international sports sparks lively discussions, especially in the context of recent events in Russia and its role on the world sports stage.
These comments from Mykhailov point to the tense situation that Russian athletes find themselves in due to political decisions leading to sanctions and suspensions from competitions. Given the possibility of Russian athletes returning to international competitions in 2026, it is important to observe the further developments in the sports world, which may become a venue for resolving political conflicts.