“A Nazi salute on the podium of the junior European karting championships from Russian Artyom Severyukhin, who races under the Italian flag for the sanctions imposed on Russian drivers”: Nexta tv, the Belarusian opposition broadcaster, denounces it with a video on his Twitter profile broadcasting from Poland. In the short frame of the award ceremony of the race in Portimao, Portugal, we see the young driver on the top step of the podium beating his chest and then waving at his arm, then bursting into laughter. In the background, the notes of the Italian anthem.
European junior karting, Russian driver makes the Roman salute on the podium
“A deplorable behavior“. The” firm condemnation “by the Automobile Club of Italy of the gesture of the Russian kart driver with Italian license, Artyom Severyukhin, is immediate. Now disciplinary proceedings are opened for the 15-year-old Severyukhin, and the withdrawal is also evaluated of the Italian license. “Tomorrow – writes the Aci, also sending a message to the Ukrainian federation – an extraordinary junta will be held to take urgent measures regarding the deplorable behavior of the Russian pilot Artyom Severyukhin”.
“We are deeply ashamed of our driver’s behavior“. Thus Ward Racing, the Swedish kart team for which the 15-year-old Russian Artem Severyukhin raced and won yesterday in Portimao, intervenes on the” Nazi salute “shown by the driver on the podium and denounced by the Belarusian opposition TV Nexta Tv. who speaks of “actions in a personal capacity”, announces the will “to terminate his contract for the tenders, as he no longer believes it is possible to continue cooperation with Severyukhin”.
With a note that appeared on his Facebook profile “in response to Severyukhin’s personal actions”, which he “condemns in the clearest terms possible”, Ward Racing underlines that it is “a privately owned Swedish team that unites drivers of different nationalities, who race under licenses from various countries, on a personal basis “. “Severyukhin’s actions during the awards ceremony yesterday were exclusively personal and in no way represent the views and values of Ward Racing which, on the contrary, condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the international community and expresses the his solidarity with his people who suffer from a terrifying unjustified attack. From the beginning, we have expressed our no to war and, in addition, we host three Ukrainian families who have no home to return to. As Swedish citizens – he continues – the note – we are also proud of our country which has taken the historic decision to send weapons to Ukraine to fight against the Russian army “. In condemning the gesture of its driver, the team defines it as “the manifestation of unsportsmanlike behavior and an unacceptable violation of the ethical and moral code of sport. This stance – concludes the note – is the firm belief of Ward Racing, of all its athletes and its staff “.
Source: Ansa
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