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Neretnieks pointed out that the representatives of Russia and Belarus are not at a high level in equestrian sports and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has banned athletes from both aggressor countries from participating in international competitions, so they have no chance of qualifying for the Olympics Games in Paris.
Kristaps Neretnieks
Latvian driver
As an athlete, should I suffer from Russia’s extended war in Ukraine and will we achieve anything by boycotting the Games? NO. I believe that the athletes of Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania should proudly bring their flags to the Olympic Stadium and fight so that our anthems are heard in Paris, so that we are heard.
“Otherwise we will be invisible and silent, which provides more opportunities to raise other flags, including neutral ones.” Will we achieve something like that? “Latvia’s participation in the Olympic Games will of course be a joint political decision of the Latvian Olympic Committee,” Neretnieks continued.
He also revealed that the qualification process for Paris was easier than for the Tokyo Olympics.
“During the Tokyo cycle, we didn’t fully believe that it was possible, that we could do it, at least from a financial perspective. “In order to get “Moon Ray” for myself, I already took a big financial risk, and then the horse began to suffer various injuries, sometimes the veterinarians’ prognosis was almost hopeless,” said Neretnieks.
Kristaps Neretnieks
Latvian driver
At the Paris circuit I was sure that from a sporting perspective we could collect the most points in our qualifying group if we managed to do so with great effort at the Tokyo circuit. We are currently in a better financial situation.
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In the jumping competition at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Neretnieks took 23rd place with the horse “Valour”.
Among the Latvian athletes, javelin thrower Līna Mūze-Sirmā, shooter Agate Rašmane and a road cyclist each in the men’s and women’s group races secured their tickets for the Olympic Games.
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