The IOC says they are not “Russia’s accomplices”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a list of official responses to questions about possible return of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions.
“Fulfilling its mission to unite the world in sports competition and respecting the Olympic Charter does not make the IOC an accomplice of Russia. One can stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian Olympic community without agreeing to everything they call for. Within hours of the Belarusian-backed Russian invasion of Ukraine, the IOC was one of the first international organizations to strongly condemn the invasion. Unlike most other global organizations, it has also imposed sanctions on responsible states and governments.”
“Today, the IOC supports about 3,000 Ukrainian athletes so that they can continue to play sports. This support has recently been reinforced to have a strong team from the NOC of Ukraine at the 2024 Olympics and 2026 Winter Olympics. NOCs, national federations and organizers of sporting events were asked to make every effort to promote the Ukrainian preparation and participation of athletes in international sporting competitions.”
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.
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
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