Traitor: Russian athlete Darya Klishina faces criticism after being allowed to compete at Olympic Games
US-based Klishina was given permission by the IAAF over the weekend to compete as a neutral athlete because she met “exceptional eligibility criteria’
Russian long jumper Darya Klishina is facing a barrage of criticism at home for agreeing to compete under a neutral flag.
Because Russian track and field athletes were suspended globally following state-sponsored doping, the US-based Klishina was given permission by the IAAF over the weekend to compete as a neutral athlete because she met “exceptional eligibility criteria.”
But that enraged some Russians, who called her a “traitor,” and pointed out she lives and trains abroad.
One social media account published her picture in a leaflet that was reminiscent of Nazi propaganda that encouraged collaboration in the occupied territories of the Soviet Union.
“Russian athletes, the only thing you have to do in order to compete in the Olympics is to give up the banner of your country,” the leaflet said. “Do give up the shameful Russian flag!”
Even the typically bland state-owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta published an opinion piece lambasting Klishina.