PACE called on the IOC to prevent Russians and Belarusians from participating in the 2024 Olympics – Kommersant
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The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the 2024 Olympics, even in a neutral status. According to PACE, this decision should be left in force until “as long as Russia’s aggressive war continues.”
According to press release on the PACE website, at present the admission of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions is “unthinkable”. Their participation “will be used as a propaganda tool and will de facto prevent other athletes”, including Ukrainian ones, from participating in competitions, according to PACE.
“The efforts of the IOC to establish criteria to allow these athletes to participate as neutrals cannot provide the necessary guarantees… Arguments in favor of their participation… do not carry sufficient weight before the need to condemn the atrocities being committed and demonstrate the full and unwavering support of the international community for Ukraine,” they said. in the assembly.
The PACE also recalled that Russian and Belarusian athletes often receive cash payments from the state, and some of them “were part of military sports teams.” “It seems impossible that they can demonstrate their neutrality and distance from these regimes, let alone make any statement against the war,” the assembly added.
28 March IOC Executive Board recommended international federations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes who do not support hostilities in Ukraine, but in a neutral status, to participate. June 22 IOC President Thomas Bach saidthat the decision to admit Russians to the Olympics will not be easy. Meanwhile, the IOC ethics committee checks President of the Tennis Federation of the Russian Federation Shamil Tarpishchev and two-time Olympic champion in pole vaulting Elena Isinbayeva for involvement in the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
On the position of Russia – in the material “Kommersant” “Recommend does not mean return”.
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