The IOC must uphold the honor of the international community
Olympic silver medalist, WBA world champion, Vice President of the Boxing Federation of Ukraine Andrey Kotelnik addressed to the President of the IOC Thomas Bachwhich promotes the idea of returning athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions.
“I am writing to IOC President Thomas Bach as a silver medalist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. I ask you not to make a fatal mistake, namely, the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to the selection for the Olympic Games.”
“This state and its allies are conducting a barbaric military aggression, and this is not only the work of their leadership, but also of the population. They understand that they are going with weapons to a neighboring peaceful state, which has a common border with the EU and NATO, and they are killing not only the military, but also civilians, our brothers and sisters.”
“Dear Mr. Bach, you and the prestigious organization with centuries-old values - the IOC, have a historical opportunity to go down in world history as defending the honor, dignity and justice of the entire civilized, democratic, international community, adhering to the values of the Olympic Charter, which were laid down in it by Pierre de Coubertin “.
At the Extraordinary General Assembly of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, NOC members voted for a possible boycott of the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris, if athletes from Russia and Belarus are admitted to the Games. In doing so, the NOC will consult with the national sports federations on such a move.
Recall that the IOC is ready to consider the possibility of admitting athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions. In this case, everyone who wishes will be required to act in a neutral status. Also, athletes should not support the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and pass a mandatory doping test.
The Olympic Summit, chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach, unanimously agreed to accept an initiative proposed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in its competitions.
Earlier, the IOC made it clear that it does not plan to consider all applications regarding the return of athletes from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the Olympic Games-2024. The IOC believes that a complete ban on the performance of Russian and Belarusian athletes is discrimination and is contrary to the Olympic Charter. The organizers of the 2024 Olympics in Paris said they would adhere to the decision of the International Olympic Committee to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under a neutral flag.
Source: Sportarena
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
