“Ukrainian athletes are forced to defend the lives of their loved ones and the freedom of our people from Russian aggression,” Zelensky said.
“The Russian attacks took the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian men and women who could have brought their talents to the world Games.”
On Wednesday, the Olympic Council of Asia gave Russian and Belarusian athletes the chance to compete in Asia, giving them a qualification route to the 2024 Olympics.
Ukraine says it may boycott the Games if Russian and Belarusian athletes take part.
On Saturday, Belarus-born Aryna Sabalenka beat Kazakhstan’s Russian-born Elena Rybakina to win the Australian Open, becoming the first player competing under a neutral flag to win a tennis Grand Slam.
“I think everyone still knows I’m a Belarusian player, and that’s it,” Sabalenka later said flatly – holding a glass of champagne – when asked about the tournament as a neutral player. How did it feel to win?