Kolesnikov ‘not sad’ to miss Paris Olympics

Russian swimming star Kliment Kolesnikov is all about winning Olympic medals — but not at all costs.

The world record holder in the men’s 50m backstroke has vowed to sit out the Paris Games over the “unacceptable” conditions imposed on Russian competitors due to the assault on Ukraine.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said this month athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus would be able to compete in Paris as neutrals, outside of team events and as long as they did not actively support the campaign in Ukraine.