Claim that “athletes should not be discriminated against on the basis of nationality”
UN published call of experts in the field of cultural rights and contemporary forms of racial discrimination and xenophobia allow Russians and Belarusians to participate in international competitions.
“We call on the IOC to take a decision in this direction and go further by ensuring that any athlete is not discriminated against on the basis of their nationality. The IOC recommendation raised serious issues of direct discrimination because athletes should not be discriminated against on the basis of nationality.”
“We understand the desire to support Ukrainian athletes and the Ukrainian Olympic community, who, along with all Ukrainians, are suffering from the war. However, the IOC and the Olympic community are also bound by the Olympic Charter and international human rights law that prohibits discrimination.”
The IOC is ready to consider the possibility of admitting athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions. At the same time, 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.
In addition, Polish Minister of Sports Kamil Bortnichuk said that he opposed 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.
Source: Sportarena
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