IOC President Bach criticized the interference of politicians in the issue of the admission of athletes from Russia

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, amid the possible return of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions, said that it is not for governments to decide who is allowed to participate in sports events. This is within the competence of the IOC, said Mr. Bach.

“This (intervention of governments.— “b”) would be the end of international sporting competitions, the World Cup and the Olympic Games as we know them today,” the IOC President said while talking to the media, including the Norwegian Verdens Gang, during the Alpine Skiing World Championships.

Thomas Bach also expressed his sympathy for the Ukrainian people and said that the IOC “shares their grief and suffering”. At the same time, he recalled that discussions are underway on the admission of Russians to participate in international competitions during the year.

Russians and Belarusians were suspended from international competitions after the start of the military operation, some tournaments allow these athletes in a neutral status. Recently the IOC began to discuss with national federations, the possibility of their return to competitions with a number of restrictions, at the Asian Games, this is already ready.

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

Maria Fedotova