A glamorous Russian tennis participant has condemned ‘Nazism’ after she was banned from boarding a Polish passenger jet and compelled slumber on benches at Cairo airport.
Polish flag provider Ton confirmed on Tuesday that it experienced not permitted Vitalia Diatchenko to board, citing limitations launched by Poland’s interior ministry through the COVID-19 pandemic and up to date in 2022 next Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Diatchenko had been on her way from Cairo to a tournament in Corsica, travelling via Warsaw and Good, and required to adjust planes in Poland.
But 32-yr-old was told she would not be ready to board the flight simply because she is Russian.
Diatchenko she then experimented with to buy a ticket with Lufthansa, but was informed she could only enter the Schengen zone by using Spain as it experienced issued her visa.
Pictured: Vitalia Diatchenko. Polish flag carrier Good deal confirmed on Tuesday that it experienced not permitted the tennis star to board
Pictured: Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia in action in opposition to Katie Volynets of Usa in qualifying in the course of the Viking Traditional Birmingham at Edgbaston Priory Club on June 12, 2021
Vitalia Diatchenko took to social media to categorical her anger about the incident
As a result of the ordeal, Diatchenko experienced to invest extensive hrs without the need of meals or accommodation at Cairo Airport, sleeping on benches.
‘The provisions of the regulation introduce limits at particular border crossings, together with airport crossings, in relation to citizens of the Russian Federation touring from exterior the Schengen location,’ Lot mentioned in an emailed statement.
A spokesman for the Warsaw airport mentioned: ‘We were being not able to allow for a citizen of the Russian Federation on board in trying to keep with a decree by the interior minister of March 13 2020, which briefly suspends or restricts passage by way of specific border crossings, including air terminals, for Russian citizens.’
Posting on social media Diatchenko, who is at this time 250th in the WTA rating, reported: ‘As a specialist athlete who is actively playing with out any flag and not symbolizing any country, just hoping to get on with lifestyle and abide by a job that I have liked all my daily life, is this reasonable to athletes that have no association with any element of the unlucky circumstance?
‘Hope to be no cost of politics, racism and nazism. Just peace and very clear sky please!!!’
On Instagram Stories she wrote: ‘I was refused to fly to a tournament in Corsica by Lott airways, from Cairo – Warsaw – Great, for the reason that I am the operator of Russian passport. Airways regulations – instantly do not make it possible for any Russian to fly with Lott airlines!
‘Does it actually assistance to strengthen predicament for the peace???. I had all the assistance letters from WTA, ITF but in fashionable tennis this isn’t going to appear to be to make any big difference in truth. I had assist letters from my father, who is originally born in Ukraine and operating for United Nations. This letter stating that I am his daughter (airline coverage makes it possible for family members users of individuals who have diplomatic passport to fly) but all airways suddenly now refuse these files simply because of your place of delivery.’
She continued: ‘Travelling as a Russian citizen to Europe, I gained only 14 times! visa (commonly as an athlete I acquire 2/3 decades ). Also, this visa had to be via Spain as they have been the only region that would concern this visa.
‘Therefore flight has to go via Spain, so other borders this kind of as the one for my tournament will not allow me fly until by Spain. In reality, this means 4 flights instead of two! Conclude of the story, slept in the airport, handled like a 3rd course citizen, put in a pair of thousand euros, now no achievable way to make it to the match as no route mainly because of airlines that will not carry Russians and the constrained visa condition.
Pictured: Vitalia Diatchenko in target observe. On Instagram Stories she wrote: ‘Does it truly enable to enhance problem for the peace???. I experienced all the assist letters from WTA, ITF but in modern-day tennis this will not appear to be to make any variation in reality’
Pictured: Vitalia Diatchenko. As a result of the ordeal, Diatchenko had to commit extended several hours devoid of food stuff or accommodation at Cairo Airport, sleeping on benches
On Instagram Tales she wrote Diatchenko (pictured) wrote: ‘I had assist letters from my father, who is at first born in Ukraine and operating for United Nations. This letter stating that I am his daughter (airline plan will allow family members associates of individuals who have diplomatic passport to fly) but all airways instantly now refuse these documents since of your state of birth’
On Instagram Stories Diatchenko wrote: ‘I was refused to fly to a event in Corsica by Lott airways, from Cairo – Warsaw – Wonderful, for the reason that I am the proprietor of Russian passport. Airways rules – abruptly do not enable any Russian to fly with Lott airways!’
Diatchenko (pictured) wrote: ‘Travelling as a Russian citizen to Europe, I been given only 14 times! visa (typically as an athlete I receive 2/3 years ). Also, this visa experienced to be by means of Spain as they had been the only region that would concern this visa.’
Submitting on social media Diatchenko (pictured on a tennis courtroom), who is presently 250th in the WTA rating, said: ‘As a specialist athlete who is playing without any flag and not representing any country, just striving to get on with existence and follow a job that I have liked all my life, is this honest to athletes that have no affiliation with any aspect of the regrettable predicament?
‘Finally, I have to withdraw and the only possibility is to return dwelling and skip a different function mainly because of this circumstance. As a qualified athlete who is playing without any flag and not representing any nation, just seeking to get on with lifetime and observe a occupation that I have cherished all my daily life, is this good to athletes that have no affiliation with any component of the unfortunate circumstance.
‘Hope to be no cost of politics, racism and nazism. Just peace and a crystal clear sky you should!’
The incident drew an offended reaction on social media.
The European Union has banned all flights from Russia and has agreed to limit issuing absolutely free-travel Schengen zone visas. In September, Finland joined the Baltic states and Poland in closing its borders to Russian visitors.
Diatchenko reported she then tried out to get a ticket with Lufthansa, but was advised she could only enter the Schengen zone by way of Spain as it had issued her visa.
As opposed to quite a few other sports activities, tennis did not introduce a blanket ban on gamers from Russia and its ally Belarus right after the invasion of Ukraine.
Wimbledon banned players from the two nations final calendar year just after the invasion, which Moscow calls a ‘special army operation’, but said in March that it would now acknowledge them as neutral athletes.
Russian and Belarusian players have been competing on the excursions and at the other Grand Slams as neutral athletes.
Pictured: Vitalia Diatchenko on a tennis court. ‘I slept at the airport, I was dealt with like a 3rd course citizen (because of my nationality), spent a handful of thousand euro,’ Diatchenko wrote
Diatchenko (pictured) wrote: ‘As a experienced athlete who is taking part in devoid of any flag and not representing any region, just attempting to get on with lifestyle and follow a occupation that I have beloved all my lifetime, is this good to athletes that have no affiliation with any element of the regrettable situation’
