“Only neutral and clean athletes” should be allowed to compete
The president US National Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Jean Sykes supported the idea of the IOC regarding the return of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions in a neutral status.
“We have listened to the many athletes and fans in the US and recognize the need for all the best athletes in the world to compete. But this can happen if the process is carried out with the full assurance of safe and fair competition.”
“We urged the IOC to continue exploring a process that would preserve existing sanctions by ensuring that only neutral and clean athletes are allowed to compete. This process requires careful monitoring and additional efforts.”
At the same time, Sykes said that the USOPC remains in solidarity with Ukraine and its athletes, and expressed “skepticism as to whether all conditions can be met” for the admission of Russians and Belarusians.
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 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, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba, Minister of Sports criticized the IOC and the head of the organization Thomas Bach Poland Kamil Bortnichuk.
Source: Sportarena
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