IOC: the concept of a neutral flag for the Russian Federation has proven itself well at the Australian Open

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) again supported the performance of Russians and Belarusians under a neutral flag at international competitions. In his opinion, this concept worked well during the Australian Open. Women’s Tournament Winner became Belarusian Arina Sobolenko, Russian Karen Khachanov reached to the semi-finals of the men’s tournament.

The IOC said the concept was supported by the vast majority of the Olympic Movement and “reflects what we’ve seen in practice over the past two weeks at the Australian Open.” Russian and Belarusian athletes competed under a neutral flag without identifying their country. “This concept has proven itself and is also being used in cycling and a number of professional leagues across North America and Europe,” the IOC said in a tweet.

In February 2022, against the backdrop of the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, the IOC recommended that international sports federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions. On January 25, the IOC called for the return of athletes to competitions in a neutral status in the absence of active support for hostilities in Ukraine.

More details – in the material “Kommersant” “To All Hangzhou”.

Leonid Uvarchev