The African Olympic committees on Saturday came out in favor of Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics, defending that they can compete “in all international competitions” under a neutral flag.
“The members have voted unanimously for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in all international competitions. It will only be a matter of allowing athletes to participate in Paris2024 neutrally and without any identification mark,” says the statement from the Association of the African Olympic Committees (ANOCA).
Similarly, ANOCA insists that “politicians cannot pressure the sport and take away its noble intrinsic values based on peace, unity and solidarity” as “no athlete has to pay the high price of conflict, whatever and wherever”.
In January, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) discussed the possible return of Russian and Belarusian athletes under a neutral flag, provided “they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine”.
However, in a joint letter signed by sports ministers, about 30 countries demanded that the IOC clarify the neutrality required of Russians and Belarusians as a condition of being in Paris 2024.
In the letter, signed on the Portuguese side by the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, João Paulo Correia, it is clear that “continued support for Russian and Belarusian athletes will be excluded from participation in international events as long as the war in Ukraine lasts”. , in a new strong international position on the way to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In addition to Portugal, this position has been signed by France, which will host the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also by Greece, by Japan, which will host Tokyo2020, in addition to Italy and the powers of sport the United States, Canada, Germany and the UK.
Source: DN
