Was Daniil Medvedev 'forced' to drop Russian flag from social media to avoid being banned?

World . 1 ranked tennis player Daniil Medvedev has removed Russian flag from his official Instagram handle amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since it was revealed that Medvedev h removed his country's flag from his social media accounts, rumours have circulated that 2021 US Open winner was forced to do so by International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Was Medvedev forced to remove Russian flag?

Medvedev was ordered by ITF to remove his country's flag from all social media accounts, according to Russian tennis federation. Karen Khachav has also removed Russian flag from his official social media ps. According to RIA vosti, a state-owned Russian news ncy, Medvedev and Khachav were "forced" to remove ir national flags under threat of being barred from future tournaments.

"I haven’t talked to Daniil yet. But w re are such sanctions, IOC prohibits use of our Russian flag. Even on social media. This is a necessary measure," Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev was quoted as saying last week.

ITF suspended Russian and Belarusian tennis federations earlier last week, as well as anunced that players from both nations will have to compete under a neutral flag in ATP and WTA events. ITF also cancelled an event set to take place in Moscow in October of this year. decision came after International Olympic Committee (IOC) encourd all athletic bodies to prohibit Russian and Belarussian athletes from competing in any international event while wearing ir national flags.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak sparked uproar after he wore a war insignia 'Z' on his chest while participating in parallel bars World Cup event in Doha. Kuliak wore emblem while sharing podium with his Ukrainian competitor Illia Kovtun. same emblem was also spotted on Russian tanks and or military assets in Ukraine.  letter 'Z' was taped to Kuliak's shirt, which represents victory in Russia. Kuliak pasted letter 'Z' in place of Russian flag. 

Russian sporting fraternity has come under fire ever since Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine. Several sporting events that were supposed to be held in Russia have eir been called off or moved out of country.  UEFA and FIFA have alrey banned Russian national team from taking part in any competition across world, including upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Meanwhile, Formula One has cancelled Russian Grand Prix in wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

Im: AP