Russian athletes faced with Facebook and Instagram restrictions.
Russian athletes are facing restrictions on several social media sites. Russian authorities not happy with Facebook and Instagram’s policies.
Russian athletes and even the IFBB Russian Federation, are looking to other social media outlets to promote their activities without any restrictions.
Just recently, the Russian authorities have threatened to ban Facebook, Instagram and even WhatsApp in Russia.
The Russian authorities are claiming Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are easing their policies in regards to “hate speech” towards Putin and Russia in general.
The stance by Russian authorities have made bodybuilding and fitness athletes scramble for other sources to promote themselves.
Russian athletes turn to Telegram and V Kontakte
Russian athletes and event he IFBB Russian Federation have now turned to Telegram and V Kontakte to keep in touch with their fans and friends.
Telegram is a freeware, cross-platform, cloud-based instant messaging service while V Kontakte is Russia’s version of Facebook.
Numerous posts are starting to appear on Instagram and Facebook with Russia’s top athletes, mainly affiliated with the IFBB and IFBB Elite Pro, announcing their new social media pages.
It is evident that the Russian athletes want to move on and want an end to the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine.
IFBB Elite Pro Aleksei Kuznetsov gave a brief explanation of what is going on (translated from Russian):
“Thank you for being with me all this time on Instagram, following my career, supporting me.
“They say that Instagram in Russia is suspending its work, so whoever is interested, do not lose me, but subscribe to me in the telegram channel and VKontakte.
Let’s keep moving forward!!!”
