The return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to world sport is imminent despite the war of aggression against Ukraine. At the Olympic Summit, a meeting of representatives of the IOC and some world federations, Randhir Singh, President of the Association of Asian National Olympic Committees OCA, spoke out in favor of the reintegration of the sanctioned athletes.
IOC President Thomas Bach thanked the OCA for the “creative initiative” that may free the International Olympic Committee from the “dilemma” in which it sees itself trapped: “The mission to unite the whole world in peaceful competition.”
The first step will soon follow on the Asian continent. According to the IOC announcement, the OCA representative argued that there were no longer any reasons for “protective measures” in Asia – neither for Ukrainian, Russian or Belarusian athletes. These could start at competitions in Asia, while sanctions such as the waiver of flags, colors and anthems should be retained.
Even before the summit, which Bach has hosted once a year since his election in 2013, there had been criticism from Germany. “All international sports associations remain responsible for positioning themselves clearly. Russia must remain excluded from major international sporting events,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), who is responsible for sport, when asked by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Faeser against advance: “It’s not the time to invite Putin’s Russia”
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is “waging his criminal war of aggression against the Ukrainian civilian population with undiminished brutality. Sport should remain consistent in its condemnation of this inhuman war,” said Faeser: “The Olympic idea stands for international understanding. Against this background, it is clear to us: It is not the time to invite Putin’s Russia to major international sporting events.”
In its statement, the IOC referred to a UN resolution of December 1, which underlines respect for the “unifying and conciliatory character” of sporting events. The Rings organization quoted French President Emmanuel Macron as saying he wanted the sport to be politically neutral.
Supposedly, the selected representatives of the world federations, including gymnastics president Morinari Watanabe, swimming president Husain Al-Musallam and skiing president Johan Eliasch, welcomed the OCA’s initiative and advocated that there should be no one-size-fits-all solution when dealing with Russian athletes . German sports officials were not invited to the IOC summit.