Scott Morrison’s heavy-handed statement as Aussie Olympian boycotts Russia

An Australian Olympian has announced she is walking out on Russia in a move that has attracted a surprising response from Scott Morrison.

Aussie Olympian Danielle Scott has been praised by Prime Minister Scott Morrison over her eleventh hour decision to boycott a world cup event in Russia.

The three-time Olympics aerial skier on Friday announced she had backflipped on competing at the International Ski Federation (FIS) world cups aerials competition, scheduled to begin on Saturday in Yaroslavl.

She said she “can’t believe” Russia’s military action in Ukraine and how she has found herself in such a difficult position.

“Decision has been made to leave Russia and not compete in the final World Cups,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I can’t believe this is happening — in the uniquely unifying power of sport, I wished so badly for this situation to be different.”

Scott, 31, had posted on Instagram earlier this week she was determined to finish her winter campaign strong at the world cups events in Russia after suffering heartbreak at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing earlier this month.

Australian Aerial Skier Danielle Scott poses ahead of the 2018 Olympics. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

“All your messages of kindness and love have made this a far less daunting experience,” she posted on Monday.

“The job is not done yet… preparing for the last few World Cups in Russia.”

Morrison on Friday singled her out for making the brave decision to pull out in a statement posted on his Twitter page.

“Well done @DanielleSski for withdrawing from this event,” he wrote.

“All international sporting events in Russia should have their authorisations withdrawn from all international sporting bodies — this includes the F1 Grand Prix in Sochi.”

Formula 1 officials are currently in the middle of organising crisis meetings with teams to discuss the potential suspension of the Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for September.

Instagram photo of Danielle Scott in Tradie Lady underwear.

Danielle Scott in a photo posted to her Instagram page, promoting YoPro products. Photo: Instagram, @daniellescottski.

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel declared he will boycott the Russian Grand Prix if it goes ahead.

“In my personal opinion, I woke up to this morning’s news, shocked,” Vettel said.

“I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar we have a race scheduled in Russia. For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in the country.”

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen also said it is wrong for the event to go ahead as planned.

“When a country is at war, it’s not right to run there, that’s for sure,” said the Dutchman.

Formula 1 team Haas has also removed all mention of its major sponsor and financial backer Uralkali, painting over signage and logos in the middle of the official pre-season testing event in Barcelona.

Uralkali is a Russian fertilising giant controlled by Russian Dmitry Mazepin, who is considered a close ally of Putin. Since the team began its sponsorship deal with Haas, the Formula 1 team has changed its livery to reflect Russia’s white, blue and red national flag. Mazepin’s son Nikita Mazepin also drives for the team