Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky this Friday exposed the “hypocrisy” of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by admitting the reintegration of Russian and Belarusian athletes. tortured by the war.
“I need Mr. [Thomas] bach [presidente do COI] come to Bakhmout to see with your own eyes that neutrality does not exist”he stressed, before pledging to work to “clean up the hypocrisy in the management of international Olympic structures”.
On Wednesday, the IOC admitted that it has been studying the readmission of participants from both countries in world sport, although it maintains sanctions on political and sporting structures: on Thursday, Ukraine’s sports minister threatened to boycott the Paris 2024 Olympics by his country when that happens.
“We will do everything we can to protect the world of sport from any influence of the terrorist state, which is unavoidable when Russian athletes participate (…) in the Paris Olympic Games”emphasized Zelensky.
Despite repeated calls from Ukraine to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Games in Paris, the IOC said on Wednesday it would study the possibility of allowing their participation, with them competing under a neutral flag.
“It is clear that every neutral flag of Russian sportsmen is stained with blood”emphasized the leader of the invaded country on February 24, 2022.
In recent months, the IOC has adopted a growing openness, with the leader understanding that “athletes cannot be punished for what their country’s governments do”, and proposed a “unifying mission” to encourage those who intend to participate to international competitions. matches.
The Ukrainians have denounced the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and have stood firm and on Thursday Sports Minister Vadym Goutzeit was clear in defending his country’s “unchanged position”.
“As long as the war in Ukraine continues, Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to participate in international competitions. If we are not heard, I do not rule out boycotting and refusing to participate in the Olympics”creased.
This Friday, the president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee spoke out in favor of the idea of reintegrating the IOC, while the Portuguese government says it will continue consultations with the European Union, in line with community decisions.
Zelensky insists that Russia should “stop its aggression and terror” as only then will it be possible to “discuss Russian participation in the context of the Olympic Games”.
Source: DN
