Colorado State Students Chant 'Russia' At USU's Ukrainian Player During Basketball Game

Students of Colorado State University watching a men's basketball game in Fort Collins, Colorado, chanted "Russia" toward a Ukrainian basketball player of Utah State University.

Max Shulga, who is from Kyiv, Ukraine and serving as Utah State's junior guard, was in the middle of shooting free throws during the late stage of the game when several spectators belonging to Colorado State chanted at him with "Russia."

Shulga said the chants aimed at him were "extremely upsetting at the moment" while noting that "emotions can run high during competition, and people can do and say things they do not really mean," according to CNN.

Shulga added the Russian invasion of Ukraine became challenging for his family and loved ones "living in constant danger."

The USU player said he prays for "peace to be restored for my people in Ukraine."

In a series of tweets, the Colorado State has apologized to Shulga, saying the incident was "unacceptable."

"On behalf of Colorado State, we apologize to the student-athlete and Utah State. This is a violation of our steadfast belief in the Mountain West Sportsmanship Policy and University Principles of Community," the Colorado State said.

"Every participant, student, and fan should feel welcomed in our venues, and for something like this to have occurred is unacceptable at Colorado State," the school added.

In a statement, Shulga's university said they "fully support" their Ukrainian basketball player and his family in Ukraine.

USU added they appreciate Colorado State's efforts in condemning the incident.

The basketball game ended with Utah State's 88-79 victory against Colorado State. Shulga managed to score nine points and six assists during the competition.

The incident came as Ukraine is pursuing to exclude Russia and its ally Belarus from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Associated Press reported that Ukraine threatened to boycott the international sports event if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) plans to allow delegations from Russia and Belarus to compete in the games.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said allowing Russia to participate in the 2024 Olympics would show that "terror is somehow acceptable."

Ukraine's campaign to bar the two countries from the upcoming games has already won support from the U.S., Poland, the Baltic countries and Denmark.

IOC responded to Ukraine's threat, saying that "politicians are misusing athletes and sport" for their political objectives.

The Olympic body said it plans to declare Russian and Belarusian athletes as "neutrals" during the games.

But IOC is standing by its decision to keep the sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus due to the Ukraine war, such as not inviting government officials from the two countries.