The head of the US Olympic Committee supported the admission of Russians to international competitions
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President of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Jean Sykes spoke in favor of the proposal of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow Russians and Belarusians to the Games under a neutral flag. Washington urged the IOC to maintain existing sanctions by “ensuring that only neutral and clean athletes can compete.” Mr. Sykes took over as head of the USOPC at the beginning of the year.
“We have listened to many US athletes and understand their desire to compete against the best athletes in the world – but only if it is in a safe and fair game,” Mr. Sykes said in a letter to the IOC. His excerpts are Associated Press.
Jean Sykes, in a letter, expressed solidarity with Ukraine, as well as concern and skepticism about the organization of the conditions under which access of Russian athletes will be provided – the IOC proposes to ban only those who did not support the actions of Russian troops in Ukraine from participating in the competition.
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. However, in January 2023, the president of the committee, Thomas Bach, advocated that Russians and Belarusians be allowed to the 2024 Olympics. According to him, the exclusion of athletes because of their passport “is not in line with the values and mission of the Olympic Charter.”
About the reaction of Kyiv – in the material “Kommersant” “Ukrainians demand continuation of the boycott”.
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