01-19-2023, 12:52 AM
That is barbaric.
On a seperate but related topic, is there any real benefit in removing the flags of Russian athletes at the Australian Open?
Whilst I understand that we are doing this to show solidarity, I saw a facebook debate recently where some fans of the Russian players brought flags into the stadium and there was a bit of outrage about it.
Sure the opponent to the Russian player was Ukrainian, and Tennis Australia's official stance has been to remove Russian flags next to the players (they do represent themselves after all and not nations in these tournaments) but when I saw the response re fans not showing respect by carrying the Russian flag in support of the Russian opponent.
Now whilst I can appreciate that this is an inflammatory situation, how do we feel about this? Should people not be able to support a Russian athlete at the Australian open?
I found myself wondering why the backlash. There will always be the idea that someone is unhappy to see a flag of another nation somewhere, but provided they arent making a political statement with it, or that flag doesnt represent something like the Nazi flag (without having a better example off the top of my head at the minute) shouldnt this be fair play?
Just curious, and checking what people's thought process is here.
On a seperate but related topic, is there any real benefit in removing the flags of Russian athletes at the Australian Open?
Whilst I understand that we are doing this to show solidarity, I saw a facebook debate recently where some fans of the Russian players brought flags into the stadium and there was a bit of outrage about it.
Sure the opponent to the Russian player was Ukrainian, and Tennis Australia's official stance has been to remove Russian flags next to the players (they do represent themselves after all and not nations in these tournaments) but when I saw the response re fans not showing respect by carrying the Russian flag in support of the Russian opponent.
Now whilst I can appreciate that this is an inflammatory situation, how do we feel about this? Should people not be able to support a Russian athlete at the Australian open?
I found myself wondering why the backlash. There will always be the idea that someone is unhappy to see a flag of another nation somewhere, but provided they arent making a political statement with it, or that flag doesnt represent something like the Nazi flag (without having a better example off the top of my head at the minute) shouldnt this be fair play?
Just curious, and checking what people's thought process is here.
"everything you know is wrong"
Paul Hewson
Paul Hewson