Mikhail Antipov, a Russian triathlete, has faced criticism for his online support of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Antipov's engagement with social media posts endorsing the military aggression, including those shared by the CSKA team with the caption "Good triumphs over evil," where the Russian military is depicted as good and the Ukrainian military as evil, has ignited controversy and sparked a heated debate.
Antipov's involvement in promoting a narrative that vilifies the Ukrainian side has raised concerns about the intersection of sports and politics in Russia. Many argue that athletes should refrain from using their platform to propagate divisive and harmful messages. The incident has prompted discussions about the responsibilities and potential influence that athletes have as public figures.