Russian Olympic champion Tikhonov attacks Ukrainian athletes over ethnicity and political stance at 2026 Games

Four-time Olympic champion from Russia, Alexander Tikhonov, has made a harsh comment about Ukraine and Ukrainians following the actions of figure skater Kyrylo Marsak and skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who have been actively speaking out against Russia's participation in the 2026 Olympics.

Source: Tikhonov in a comment to Vse Pro Sport, a Russian sports news outlet

Details: Tikhonov, a former biathlete, lashed out at Marsak and Heraskevych, echoing several common Russian propaganda narratives. Tikhonov claimed that the state of Ukraine had been created by Russia and said that Ukrainian athletes did not know their history.

He also added that Ukraine would soon cease to exist.

Quote from Tikhonov: "They are descendants of nationalists, these two Ukrainian fools. Meanwhile, I have always had great respect for native Ukrainians, who grew up on incredibly fertile land and were impressive for their diligence and work ethic. But now we are talking about different people.

These Ukrainian athletes do not know that a country like Ukraine was created by Russia. They know nothing about history – idiots. Only a few weeks remain until your defeat. And you are nobody. There is no such ethnicity as Ukrainians."

Background:

• Earlier, Marsak set a personal best in the short programme, finishing ahead of the "neutral" athlete Pyotr Gumennik, and dedicated his performance to his father, who is defending Ukraine on the front lines.
• Heraskevych, meanwhile, has become one of the main newsmakers of the 2026 Games, competing in a remembrance helmet despite a ban from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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