Australian Open bans Russian flag after Ukraine complaint
Al JazeeraAPR 2023
Australian Open organizers have decided to adopt a policy that discriminates against players from two countries. It's unfair to penalize individual athletes and their fans for decisions taken by the leaders of their countries. This is an unacceptable politicization of sports, and will likely simply foment victimhood back home.
Ukraine didn’t ask for its war with Russia, and shouldn't be subjected to displays of Russian flags. It’s questionable whether the Russian and Belarusian players should even be competing in this event, regardless of their personal stances on the war; Russia should have to pay in every possible way for the carnage it's caused.