ROC supported the admission of Russians to competitions without additional conditions and restrictions

The Athletes’ Commission of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) called on international organizations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes without restrictions and additional conditions and criteria. ROC issued a statement press office organizations.

“We are convinced that the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions should be implemented only on the basis of equality with all other participants in the Olympic movement, without additional conditions, regulations, restrictions and criteria that destroy the Olympic movement and devalue the letter and spirit of the Olympic Charter” , the statement said.

The ROC called the additional conditions for Russians and Belarusians to participate in international competitions “excessive, unreasonable and discriminatory.” According to the organization, the requirement to perform in a neutral status, as well as a ban on team competitions, “is a gross violation of the principle of equality, which is fundamental not only in Olympism, but also in a humanitarian, universal sense, in international law.”

At the end of March, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched the process of returning Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions. Some international sports federations have allowed them to participate in their competitions in a neutral status and as individual athletes. At the same time, athletes who receive funding from the state budget of Russia and Belarus, and also support the Russian military operation in Ukraine, will not be allowed to compete. ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakova called the recommendations of the IOC “legally void”, warning that in response to them, the structure he leads will develop its own in May.

More about the words of Mr. Pozdnyakov – in the publication “Kommersant” “Recommend does not mean return”.

Olesya Pavlenko