OREANDA-NEWS. Ukrainian karateka Stanislav Goruna, winner of the Tokyo Olympics, supported his compatriot Yaroslava Maguchikh, who was criticized at home for a joint photo with the champion of the Games-2020 Russian woman Maria Lasitskene.

"There is no" betrayal "in the photo of the Maguchikhs with Lasitskene, - Gorun wrote in his account on social networks. - Sometimes in this short moment, through the recognition of each other as equals, a strong friendship or just good relations is born. There is no betrayal in the congratulations of Nikolchenko and Vernyaev [Ukrainian gymnasts who congratulated the Russians] their opponents in sports. "

"Sports brought them together. People became friends through competition and equally hard work on themselves, because of respect for each other's work. What does this have to do with international politics? The pedestal is a unique and exclusive place of respect that for a moment brings successful athletes together thanks to their work on themselves and effective performances. No more, no less, "- said the athlete.

"Sports are out of politics! The Olympics are the quintessence of sports! The Olympics are about friendship, unification and respect regardless of anything. The Olympics proves to everyone unequivocally that sports are out of politics! There is no politics in the Olympics! There is a sports spirit and healthy competition!" - wrote the karateka emotionally.

Addressing the critics of the Maguchikhs, Goruna said: “There is much more treason in negative and critical comments. Instead of leaving the photograph only a photograph, it is you who, by commenting, give the fictional“ betrayal ”real life.