London Olympic champion addresses IOC President Thomas Bach
WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk addressed the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach with a call to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
“Dear Mr. Bach, I would like to address you. I am a Ukrainian athlete. I won Olympic gold in boxing in 2012. I am the reigning world heavyweight champion and my name is Alexander Usyk.”
“You want to allow Russian athletes to participate in the Olympics. Russian armed forces have invaded our country and are killing civilians. the Russian army kills Ukrainian athletes and coaches, destroys sports fields and gyms. The medals that Russian athletes are going to win are medals of blood, death and tears.”
“Let me wish you that there is a peaceful sky above you and that you are healthy and happy.”
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.
The NOC of Ukraine supported a possible boycott of the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris, if athletes from Russia and Belarus are admitted to the Games. The Verkhovna Rada appealed to the parliaments of the countries of the world with a request not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions.
Source: Sportarena
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