IOC agrees to uphold sanctions against athletes from Russia and Belarus

At the summit of the International Olympic Committee discussed the sanctions imposed after the start of military operations against Russia and Belarus. The vast majority of the summit participants agreed that they should remain in place, including the suspension of athletes from these countries, informs IOC.

The sanctions include the following:

• international sports events are not organized or supported by the International Federation or the National Olympic Committee in Russia or Belarus;
• no flags, anthems, colors or any other designations of these countries are flown at any sporting event or gathering.

Also at the summit, they discussed the removal of athletes from Russia and Belarus from international competitions. The Olympic Movement had to take defensive measures by not inviting the athletes of the National Olympic Committees of these countries, the IOC notes. “All athletes had to be protected from political interference,” the IOC said, noting that the organization had to ban athletes from competition, however, just because of their passport.

At the summit, the acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia said that on the Asian continent there were no more reasons for protective measures that banned the participation of athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus. The Council proposed to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions in Asia under its auspices, observing the existing sanctions.

Representatives of international federations, as well as the president of the Association of National Olympic Committees, welcomed this initiative as an important step towards restoring the unity of all 206 National Olympic Committees.

“The IOC Executive Board welcomes the study of the initiative as a way to fulfill the Olympic mission of bringing athletes from all over the world together in peaceful competitions, while noting that there are divergent views in the athlete community,” the IOC said. Today’s discussion will be taken into account when considering safeguards regarding the participation of athletes in competitions.

The participants of the IOC summit do not see any grounds for further removal of the Russians, commented the President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov. “Participants at today’s IOC summit were unanimous that there were no grounds for further suspension of athletes. This means that in the near future our athletes will be able to return to the international arena, to compete in the qualifying Olympic competitions,” wrote Mr. Pozdnyakov in his Telegram channel.

After the start of the military operation in Ukraine, the IOC recommended sports federations to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions, these recommendations have been maintained since then. The Olympic Committee of the Russian Federation considers the decision of the IOC to be contrary to the Olympic Charter.

Follow the situation in Ukraine at online broadcasts “b”.

Maria Fedotova