Russia sends disabled contestant to Eurovision

Today Channel One decided who will represent Russia at the Eurovision 2017 contest. The choice was completely unexpected. Contrary to expectations and numerous rumours, Russia at the contest in Kyiv will be represented by a disabled woman – Yulia Samoilova.

The woman lost the ability to walk in childhood, following a polio vaccination.

What Channel One was guided by can only be guessed. It is not excluded that its management decided to appeal to the audience's pity in this way to secure a leading position in the contest. Besides, a disabled woman is unlikely to be booed, which would surely have happened with any other participant.