according to kyiv, the decision to admit Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral banner “encourages” the attack against Ukraine

The International Olympic Committee admitted, on Friday, Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games under a neutral banner.

Already denounced by several Ukrainian athletes, the IOC’s decision to authorize Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Games under a neutral banner is also deplored by the Ukrainian government. “The members of the IOC Executive Board who made this decision take responsibility for having encouraged Russia and Belarus to continue their armed aggression against Ukraine“, said the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Dmytro Kuleba, in a press release, Saturday December 9.

“There is no doubt that the Kremlin will use every Russian and Belarusian athlete as a weapon in its propaganda war”he continues. “Moscow will not wave white and neutral flags during competitions, as the IOC suggests, but will demonstrate the triumph of its ability to absolve itself of responsibility for the biggest armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War”, adds Ukrainian diplomacy. The Ukrainian ministry estimates that athletes, “especially Russian”represent “often organizations associated with the armed forces of Russia” and “some are on active duty in the Russian army”.

Athletes who support war will not be admitted, says IOC

“The IOC plans to allow athletes to compete in international sports arenas who not only support the murders of Ukrainian women and children, but are also likely directly involved in these crimes”assured Ukrainian diplomacy.

The Olympic body, however, has imposed strict conditions on the reintegration of Russian and Belarusian athletes. Only “neutral individual” athletes will be affected who have been able to overcome the qualification hurdle, do not actively support the war in Ukraine, and are not under contract with either the army or national security agencies. Eleven of them currently meet these criteria, eight Russians and three Belarusians, suggesting a very thin delegation.

These conditions of participation were denounced by Russia, which considered them “discriminatory” and going “against sporting principles“, by the voice of Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin, quoted by the TASS news agency. At the same time, around sixty Ukrainians have already qualified for the Paris Games (from July 26 to August 11, 2024).