According to Russian media reports, on July 28, local time, the famous Russian tennis player Daniel Medvedev was insulted by a foreign reporter in an interview after defeating Italy's Fabio Fognini.
Due to sanctions from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Russian athletes are reportedly banned from displaying national emblems at the Olympic Games, and they can only represent the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the competition.
After the victory in the match, Medvedev was provoked by a foreign journalist. The reporter claimed that the uniform of the Russian team for the Tokyo Olympics was "the brand of a liar."
Medvedev noted in a subsequent interview: "This journalist claimed that the Russians bore the shame of cheating and referred to all Russian athletes as liars. For the first time in my life, I didn't answer a reporter's question, and I asked never to see this person in the mixed zone again. ”
Medvedev quickly asked the representatives of the International Tennis Federation to remove the journalist. Regrettably, however, the International Tennis Federation rejected Medvedev's request on the grounds that "journalists have the right to ask any questions."
The agency responded: "The reporter asked a question that Medvedev did not like, but he (the journalist) had the right to ask any question. We have no right to strip anyone of their certification, and maybe you should report it to the IOC. ”
Medvedev's provocation angered many Russians.
Dmitry Svishchev, a member of the Sports and Culture Committee of the Russian State Duma, angrily said the organizers of the Tokyo Olympics should revoke the credentials of journalists who provoked Russian tennis player Dmitry Medvedev. Svechev said: "If the organizers cannot provide basic guarantees, then the provocation will continue." ”
Svechev said: "Our athletes need to react correctly and clearly to this situation. Medvedev's actions in this regard can serve as an example, defending not only himself, but all of our athletes. In the face of any provocation, we must respond harshly and make it clear to each other that we will not tolerate such behavior. Our athletes are ready to deal with such provocations and are ready to stand up. ”
Svechev said: "Because of the sanctions, we cannot raise the flag and play the national anthem at the Olympic Games, and we strictly abide by all the requirements. And apparently, there are people who don't like us winning, so they want to achieve their goals with similar insults. As for the journalist, the organizers had to strip him of his credentials, and he had no right to provoke Russians or even athletes from other countries in this way. ”
Medvedev is reportedly a brilliant tennis player. Career-high at-the-top ATP singles ranking no. 2 in the world (reached 15 March 2021), winning 11 ATP singles titles. After defeating Italy on the 28th, Medvedev successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
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