The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this Tuesday recommended the individual participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions, under a neutral flag, and postponed a decision on participation in Paris2024 until later.
As the IOC President, Thomas Bach, explained at a press conference, the recommendation to international federations after the meeting of the executive committee of the organization opens the door to the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in competitions, “as neutral or individually”. without allowing the presence of teams from these countries, athletes “actively supporting the war” in Ukraine and members of the armed and security forces, and still enforce direct sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states.
Regarding participation in Paris2024, Bach has thrown a decision on these Olympic and Paralympic Games “at the right time” and postponed a decision on the matter, after the “threat” of a boycott by Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic States, on the day it opened the door to the return of athletes from those countries to major international events.
“The IOC has already imposed sanctions on the Russian and Belarusian states, which are solely responsible for this war. Guests of events. The Executive Committee today enforces these sanctions,” he added at the end of the first day of the meeting of the Executive Committee.
Bach’s statements on behalf of this body are based on a series of assumptions that aim to harmonize the position of the international federations of the various Olympic sports with regard to international sporting events.
Olympic qualification has already started in some disciplines and is about to begin in most sports, with threats of boycotts and the question of equality, both for Ukrainians, impoverished in preparation, and for those with Russian or Belarusian passports .
“The vast majority of the Olympic movement’s heard agents were clear. They want an open path for the competitions under their authority. (…) A firm rejection of any political interference was reiterated,” continued the IOC leader.
Bach defended that “the principles of the Olympic Charter” should be followed, which protect political neutrality and appeal to the “unifying and reconciling character” of the Games, based on “the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, friendship and tolerance “.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place in the capital of France between July 26 and August 11 (Olympic) and from August 28 to September 8 (Paralympic).
The Russian invasion that began on February 24, 2022 – justified by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russian security – was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by arms for Ukraine and the imposition of political and economic sanctions on Russia.
Source: DN
