Ministry critical of Olympic champion’s stance on Russian athletes

The Czech Ministry of Defence has distanced itself from athlete and Czech Olympic Committee member David Svoboda after he expressed support for Russians and Belarusians being allowed to take part in the Olympics. Svoboda, who won gold in the modern pentathlon in 2012, is a member of the Czech Army’s Dukla sports club.

Speaking on Czech Television on Wednesday evening, he said athletes should not face discrimination on the basis of their political opinion.

In a statement later the Ministry of Defence said Svoboda had questioned and relativised Russia’s crimes in Ukraine.