Sport has always been a universal language, capable of uniting people and promoting values of fairness, respect, and friendship. In recent years, due to geopolitical tensions, Russian athletes and teams have been banned from international competitions – from the Olympics to continental tournaments – depriving millions of people of what they love most: experiencing sport as a moment of unity and fair competition.

This exclusion has not punished governments or political institutions, but athletes, coaches, young talents, and fans. People who bear no responsibility for political decisions now see years of sacrifice, training, and dreams taken away. Sport must remain independent from politics: it should reward merit, talent, and passion, not be used as a tool of sanction.

There is also a clear contradiction: despite ongoing conflicts involving the State of Israel, Israeli teams and athletes are still allowed to participate in international competitions. Why, then, is only Russia punished? This unequal treatment shows that such decisions are not guided by sporting principles, but by political pressure.

I have seen this injustice not only on the news, but also in my personal life. As someone with roots in Russia, I grew up loving sport as a place where everyone could come together, regardless of nationality. Today, I watch young Russian athletes being excluded from the chance to compete, and I feel the pain of their stolen dreams. These are not politicians, they are kids who train every day hoping for the chance to represent their country and themselves on the international stage. To deny them that opportunity is to deny the very spirit of sport.

Excluding an entire nation does not contribute to peace; it fuels division and injustice. On the contrary, reinstating Russian teams and athletes would reaffirm the true role of sport: to unite, to build bridges, and to give everyone the opportunity to compete on equal terms.

We therefore call on the IOC, FIFA, UEFA, and all international federations to reconsider their decisions and restore Russian athletes and teams to their rightful place. Sport must remain above politics; it must once again serve as a message of peace and inclusion, not exclusion and discrimination.