a coalition of countries demands “clarifications” from the IOC on the participation of Russian athletes

In a letter sent on Monday February 20, a coalition of around thirty countries asks the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for “clarifications” on the neutrality required for Russian and Belarusian athletes conditioning their participation in the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“We are very concerned about the feasibility for Russian and Belarusian Olympic athletes to participate as ‘neutrals’ (…) while they are financed and supported by their States”exposes this letter obtained by AFP, the result of a conference held on February 11 between sports ministers from around thirty countries.

“The situation has not changed”

“We firmly believe, given that the situation has not changed regarding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine … that there is no reason to reverse the exclusion of Russian athletes and Belarus decided by the IOC”explains the mail of the coalition.

“Until these fundamental matters, as well as the cruel lack of clarity and concrete details on the definition of ‘neutrality’ are not addressed, we do not accept that Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to return to competition.”

Thirty countries

In a letter to the IOC

“We urge the IOC to address these issues targeted by all countries and reconsider its proposal accordingly”add the signatories.

The IOC outlines a roadmap

France, Great Britain, Sweden, Poland but also the United States and Canada were present at the conference on February 11, during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke. In particular, he had tried to convince the ministers by considering that the presence of Russian athletes at the Paris Games would be “a sign of violence and impunity”.

Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from most international competitions since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with international federations following the “recommendation” in this sense of the IOC. But the IOC has qualified from its position and at the end of January proposed a roadmap to organize the return of these athletes under a neutral flag, provided that they have not “not actively supported the war in Ukraine”.