President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach trying to resist international pressure on him over allowing Russians to compete, says Olympic speed skating champion and State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova.
Earlier, the Norwegian newspaper VG published a statement from Bach in which he said: “It is not for governments to decide who can participate in sporting events. It would be the end of international sports competitions, world championships and the Olympic Games as we know them today.”
– He speaks correctly, does not violate the Olympic Charter. Looks like he’s under a lot of pressure. He probably has no strength. He has already told Ukraine that this is enough to influence everyone. Therefore, I think he is trying to calm everyone down: “Give him time until the summer, we will make a decision. As long as there is no solution, no need to bother us. pressure.
– Do you think such words show that the IOC is becoming more loyal to our athletes?
– No. They don’t talk about anything. Most likely, he will say that all athletes can come. In the end, as I said, everyone will come without a flag, if the governments start to pressure the athletes, to organize boycotts, Bach will simply say: “Well, everyone has come to ground zero, at the beginning of the last century.”
In general, after all, it is the IOC that pays for the trip, not the government. Well, it’s just that if anyone thinks governments, then they’re wrong. A trip to the Olympics, accommodation at the Olympics – all of this is at the expense of the IOC, not at the expense of the countries.
– And if in this case the host country refuses?
– Perhaps, unfortunately, the host country can say “no” to the athletes. But it will be pure politics and a huge scandal,” Zhurova told .
The IOC announced in January that it would consider the possibility of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes who do not actively support the SVO to participate in international competitions in a neutral status. At the moment, there are no specific criteria for possible admission.
The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
