The IOC spoke again, Monday, February 28, on the subject of the war in Ukraine, in a press release and in particular on the consequences it must have on the sporting world. After having first invited, on Friday, the international federations not to keep the holding of events on Russian and Belarusian territories, she insisted on bringing forward new sanctions, in particular concerning the athletes and officials of these two countries, without for might as well use the words “ban” or “exclude”…
“The Olympic Movement is united in its mission to contribute to peace through sport and to unite the world in peaceful competition beyond any political dispute.”underlines the IOC. Major issue for the body: how to ensure equity between the participation of Russians and Belarusians while the Ukrainian athletes, themselves, “are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country”?
IOC Executive Board recommends no participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officialshttps://t.co/XZyLIi11XR
—IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) February 28, 2022
The first recommendation is to ask sports federations to “not to invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.” In other words, ideally and if the regulations allow it, the organizer must ensure that no athlete or sports official from these two countries takes part in their competition. If this is not possible”short-term for organizational or legal reasons“, the athletes concerned must only be allowed to participate under a neutral flag.
In addition, the IOC announced that it was withdrawing the Olympic Order from three parties involved in the violation of the Olympic truce, starting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had had it since 2001, but also from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, Dmitry Kozak.
In addition to these announcements, the IOC expressed its “pride” regarding the appeals for peace from many athletes and announces that it will continue its support for ukraine with, in particular, the creation of a solidarity fund for the Ukrainian people. “Give peace a chance”concludes IOC President Thomas Bach.