Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Russian athletes join 'no to war' plea

NEW DELHI: As the world of sports joins the rest to isolate

Russia

, after it invaded

Ukraine

, now even

Russian athletes

are coming out to voice their 'no to war' plea.


The newly crowned world No. 1 tennis star

Daniil Medvedev

and ice hockey legend

Alex Ovechkin

are among a host of Russian sports personalities who have urged their country to exercise restraint and cease the war on Ukraine.

Here's how they have reacted:

DANIIL MEDVEDEVTennis
"Today I want to speak on behalf of every kid in the world. They all have dreams, their lives are just starting, so many nice experiences to come," Medvedev wrote in his message on social media.

"That's why I want to ask for peace in the world, for peace between countries. Kids are born with inner trust in the world, they believe so much in everything, in people, in love, in safety, in justice, in their chances in life.

"Let's be together and show them that's it true, because every kid shouldn't stop dreaming."



ALEX OVECHKINIce hockey
In Philadelphia, Russia's Ovechkin, who is an NHL legend, said "no more war" as he talked to reporters who quizzed him about his country's decision to attack Ukraine.

“Please, no more war. It doesn’t matter who is in the war – Russia, Ukraine, different countries – I think we have to live in peace and a great world.”



However, known as a Putin-supporter, Ovechkin chose to not speak against Putin or denounce his decision. “Well, he is my president,” Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin's fellow ice hockey player from the country, Nikita Zadorov also supported the sentiments against war as she posted a black square accompanied with 'no war' written in red.

ANDREY RUBLEV

Tennis
World No. 7 tennis star Andrey Rublev wrote "No War Please" on the lens of a TV camera after he won the title in Dubai last week.

FEDOR SMOLOVFootball
Well-known Russian football player Smolov also published the black square like Nikita in an Instagram post. It was captioned 'no war'n Russian.



ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVATennis

French Open 2021 finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova called for an end to violence and war in a social media post on Monday.

"Personal ambitions or political motives cannot justify violence," Pavlyuchenkova said. "This takes away the future not only from us, but also from our children. Stop the violence, stop the war."

LARISA KUKLINABiathlon

Kuklina is a twin champion at the European European biathlon. She too joined the social media campaign against war to show her concern. Along with her image, she posted an image of a split heart that showed colours of the Russian and Ukrainian flags.

It was captioned: “What’s going on!? Pull up! We live in the 21st century!”

(With inputs from agencies)