RT.com
04 Oct 2022, 00:13 GMT+10
Sergey Karjakin says he is prepared to serve if called upon
Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin has vowed not to "hide behind the chessboard" if he is called upon for his country's military operation in Ukraine.
Karjakin was banned in late March by chess world governing body FIDE's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) for his vocal support of Moscow's operation.
The 32-year-old told RIA Novosti that, if necessary, he would be willing to step up after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization at the end of September.
"I think that like other citizens of Russia, I could also receive a draft summons," said Karjakin.
"At least no one told me that I have some kind of exemption.
"If it arrives, it arrives. At least I'm not going to hide behind the chessboard.
"I am a native of Crimea, it is clear that everyone is upset in general because all this is happening," Karjakin added.
"I never said that everything is fine, but I still support my country. And I hope for the best and believe in it."
Last week, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach suggested that Russian athletes could return from the sweeping bans imposed on them if they are willing to condemn their country's actions in Ukraine.
Karjakin responded to those remarks by accusing Bach of violating the principle of sport being outside politics.
"I am ready to consider participation in an international tournament only without Thomas Bach and his conditions," Karjakin said.
"These requirements violate the basic principle that sport should be [kept] out of politics.
"Unfortunately, sport has turned into an instrument of pressure from the West on our state; by this they only dishonor themselves," he added.
Karjakin is a former world rapid and blitz chess champion, and pushed Norwegian great Magnus Carlsen all the way in their 2016 world title match in New York before losing on a series of tiebreakers.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of International Travel News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Travel News.
More InformationNew Delhi [India], December 4 (ANI): In an analysis conducted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India's states ...
© Provided by Xinhua An increasing number of people are interested in knowing China and there is no better way ...
(Photo credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports) Brad Marchand scored a natural hat trick in the third period as the Boston ...
(Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports) Artemi Panarin recorded his fifth career hat trick and collected a season-high four points ...
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has alleged misuse of Indian travellers' data ...
(Photo credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports) With two losses in the past three games, No. 23 Alabama will be ...
BEIJING, China: The Chaoyang District Intermediary Court in Beijing has begun compensation hearings for the Chinese relatives of those who ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. First Lady Jill Biden stressed that she wants everyone visiting the White House during Christmas to "feel ...
DUBAI, UAE: On November 24, countries participating in a five-day conference hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Dubai ...
Fewer planes and helicopters will be flying tourists over Mount Rushmore and other national monuments and parks as new regulations ...
New Delhi [India], December 4 (ANI): In an analysis conducted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India's states ...
© Provided by Xinhua An increasing number of people are interested in knowing China and there is no better way ...