The British insist that the aggressor countries will use sport for propaganda purposes
UK government turned to major sponsors Olympics 2024 calling for pressure on International Olympic Committee (IOC)to prevent the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Games in Paris.
Cultural secretary Lucy Fraser has asked British executives from the IOC’s global partners, including Coca-Cola, Intel, Samsung and Visa, to put pressure on the IOC. The British insist that a possible relaxation of the ban on Russian athletes will create a number of serious problems.
“We know that sports and politics in Russia and Belarus are closely intertwined. Therefore, we are determined to prevent the regimes in Russia and Belarus from using sports for their own propaganda purposes,” the letter says.
“Until our concerns and significant lack of clarity and specific details regarding a workable model of ‘neutrality’ are resolved, we do not agree that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to compete.”
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 IOC to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under a neutral flag.
Source: Sportarena
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