The International Olympic Committee (IOC) maintains the sanctions introduced against Russia and Belarus in February 2022 and reiterates its condemnation of the war in Ukraine, in a statement released by the body this Wednesday.
The IOC approved “solely responsible for this war” by excluding Russia and Belarus from hosting international sporting events and enforced the ban on displaying flags, anthems or other symbols in competition.
“These sanctions were introduced in February 2022 and were reinforced and confirmed by the recent Olympic summit on December 9, 2022 and remain firmly in place.”says the IOC in a statement, condemning “the senseless war”.
In the statement, the IOC reiterates its condemnation of the war in Ukraine, “with fighting still a long way from sight after a year of bloodshed”, which is “a flagrant violation of the then-current Olympic Truce and Olympic Charter.” .
At the same time, the IOC reaffirms “its unwavering solidarity” with Ukrainian athletes, who “face indescribable difficulties day after day” due to the war, and remains committed to helping them “in every way possible”.
“We all want to see a strong Ukraine team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics”says the IOC, emphasizing that “the solidarity fund has tripled so that athletes have all the support they need to overcome the huge challenges they face to achieve the Olympic dream”, and “about 3,000 athletes have already benefited from the assistance that the solidarity IOC offers through the Olympic Committee of Ukraine”.
In addition to financial support, this solidarity fund also covers logistical support, in terms of travel, accommodation, training facilities and equipment.
The IOC states that “since the ancient Olympic Games, the mission has always been to promote peace through sport” and that the organization “remains committed even today to this mission of uniting the whole world in peaceful competition”.
“Peacebuilding efforts need dialogue. A competition involving athletes who respect the Olympic Charter can serve as a catalyst for dialogue, which is always a first step towards peace”adds the IOC.
Still according to the IOC, the Olympic Games cannot “avoid wars and conflicts”, nor “combat social problems”, because “that is the domain of politics”, “but they can serve as an example of a world in which everyone respects the same rules and each other”.
“The Games can inspire problem solving by building bridges, leading to better understanding between people. They can open the door to dialogue and peacebuilding in ways that exclusion and division cannot.”the IOC believes.
The body also notes that the vast majority of the Olympic movement, including athletes, national committees and international federations, support “unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, the sanctions against Russia and Belarus and the unifying and peace-building mission.”
The Russian military offensive on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24 last year, plunged Europe into what is considered the most serious security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
Source: DN
