Poland put forward requirements for Russian athletes to participate in the European Games

The Polish authorities will require athletes from Russia to sign a statement condemning the military operation in Ukraine to participate in the European Games. About it informed Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Republic Kamil Bortnichuk on RMF FM.

“We will invite those (Russian athletes – approx. Vedomosti) who fulfill the condition. <...> Have them sign a statement that they oppose <...> If a Russian athlete signs such a statement, then I think that this will be evidence of morality and he will be able to participate in competitions,” the minister said.

He added that such a document will be required from athletes from Russia to participate in any competition in Poland.

On March 28, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced that the organization supports the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes in neutral status, however, for this, athletes must not support the military operation in Ukraine and be associated with the Russian and Belarusian armed forces or national security agencies. In particular, they will only be able to participate in individual sports.

Then Bach declared, which will make a decision on the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Olympics in Paris “at the right time”, but specified that such a decision would be made by international sports federations. According to him, for this the IOC will create a separate body under the auspices of the federations of winter and summer sports.

On January 25, the IOC voted for the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions in a neutral status.

Former press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov informedthat the Kremlin will continue to defend the interests of Russian athletes in international sports and will continue contacts with the IOC “precisely to protect” these interests.