Iasi Mayor Mihai Chirica publicly expressed his support for the decision of the Cluj-Napoca Mayor Emil Boc, regarding the ban on the use of the Russian flag and anthem at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup taking place in Cluj, stating that sport must not be turned into an instrument for legitimising a state engaged in a full-scale war against Ukraine.

Chirica stressed that the position expressed by Mayor Emil Boc does not represent criticism of Russian athletes as individuals, but an act of solidarity with Ukraine and a signal against the military aggression launched by the Russian Federation.

'I want to be very clear and send a firm message of support for the decision of my colleague from Cluj, Mayor Emil Boc. What the Cluj mayor expressed and decided does not represent an attack on sportsmanship or on athletes from Russia, viewed individually. It is, in essence, a natural reaction and a legitimate protest against the aggression of a state that repeatedly mixes values and institutions,' Mihai Chirica said on Friday.

The mayor of Iasi believes that the war in Ukraine has compromised the image of a country which, over time, has produced remarkable figures in fields such as science, culture, art and sport. In his view, no possible military victory can compensate for the human and moral losses caused by the conflict.

'It is painful to see how, under the pretext of 'sporting' actions, Ukraine was invaded in order to 'liberate' it from something it had never asked for. Under the same umbrella of absurd justifications, an incomprehensible war continues, one that directly attacks the dignity of a neighbouring people. The Russian people have left, throughout history, indisputable values in science, culture, the arts and sport. It is then all the more incomprehensible how current political and military actions destroy this heritage of respect. Regardless of where the borders will shift at the end of this conflict, the balance will always be negative, and no temporary victory will be able to erase the shame of lives sacrificed for an unjust cause,' Mihai Chirica said.

He also referred to the world of sport, mentioning Russian tennis player Mira Andreeva, winner of the WTA tournament in Iasi in the past and who later triumphed at Roland Garros. According to the Chirica, the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions must not be confounded with the promotion of the official symbols of the Russian state.

'Sport cannot be used as a cover-up. I remind you of Mira Andreeva, who won her first WTA title at the tennis tournament in Iasi, and went on to triumph this year at Roland Garros. The fact that certain Russian athletes have been admitted to international competitions or that young talents begin their careers in various cities around the world does not mean that playing the Russian national anthem is a necessity at this moment. Athletes have their own lives, mentalities and integrity, but today's Russia no longer represents a framework in which sportsmanship and fair play are the guiding values,' the Iasi mayor said.

He also emphasised that he reaffirms his support for the position expressed by Emil Boc and stated that 'sporting performance must be supported, but without ignoring the international context and the consequences of the war in Ukraine'.

'We support performance, but we cannot turn a blind eye to aggression,' Mayor Mihai Chirica concluded.

Cluj-Napoca Mayor Emil Boc said on Wednesday in a social-media post that the Russian flag and anthem cannot be used in Cluj-Napoca, not even within a sporting competition such as the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, which is taking place in the city between June 26 - 28, and for which Russian athletes have registered.

'The Russian flag and anthem cannot be used in Cluj-Napoca. We respect the position of Romania and the European Union in this regard. These are some clarifications concerning the organisation in Cluj-Napoca of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup,' Emil Boc said in his post. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniela Malache; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)