Russia’s potential return to sport under fire
Chairman Latvian Olympic Committee Georges Tikmers declared readiness boycott of the 2024 Olympics in case of admission of representatives of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the Games.
“Latvia takes the following position: if the Olympics were now held with the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus, I think Latvia would not have gone to the 2024 Olympics.”
This is not the first similar statement from representatives of European countries. Polish Minister of Sports Kamil Bortnichuk said he was opposed to the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to the 2024 Olympic Games. According to him, Poland can put forward an ultimatum to the IOC if such a decision is made.
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.
The OCA is developing a special system that will allow Russians to qualify for the Olympics through Asian competitions. It is also planned to award Asian athletes with separate medals if representatives of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus win the event.
The NOC of Ukraine will hold an online conference on February 3. During the meeting, the issue of a possible boycott by Ukraine of the 2024 Olympic Games will be discussed, to which representatives of the Russian Federation and Belarus under a neutral flag may be admitted.
Ex-world heavyweight champion Volodymyr Klitschko, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling and Verkhovna Rada deputy Jean Beleniuk, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba criticized the IOC and the head of the organization Thomas Bach. However, the IOC 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,
Source: Sportarena
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