Elina Svitolina had a perfect response for a Twitter troll, saying that getting a reply from her is probably the highlight of his life. This week, Ukrainian tennis star Svitolina shared a lengthy message explaining why the IOC should ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – which were pushed to 2021 due to the pandemic – Svitolina won the bronze medal for Ukraine. “This is your only chance of making it out of the 2nd round,” one Twitter used tweeted at Svitolina.
Svitolina responded: “Lucky me I already have a medal. But your life highlight is probably a reply from me.”
Lucky me I already have a medal.. but your life highlight is probably a reply from me 𤣠— Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina) February 1, 2023
Svitolina called for the IOC to ban Russian, Belarusian athletes
Last week, the IOC presented a plan which would allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete at the Paris Olympics as neutrals.
If that happens, Svitolina believes the IOC would be sending the wrong message to the world. “The Olympics are the biggest dream and ultimate privilege for athletes. They are the largest platform for inclusion and diversity in sports, capturing the attention of the world.
With this in mind we must stick to banning Russian and Belarusian athletes, sending a strong message worldwide, that we are united in the sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus and that there are consequences for the heinous acts of their governments; their lives cannot continue as normal and the world, nor the Russian or Belarusian people can be ignorant of the atrocities they are committing in Ukraine.
Volodymyr Androshchuk, one of Ukraine’s rising stars in track & field, was sadly killed in action. He will never fulfill his potential or dreams at the games, so why should Russian and Belarusian athletes get their chance when their governments are robbing innocent people and athletes of their chance?!!” Svitolina wrote in a message posted on her Twitter.
Meanwhile, Svitolina – who hasn’t played since March – became a mother in October. Svitolina is targeting to return to tennis at some point in 2023.
