The International Olympic Committee (IOC) maintains sanctions against Russia and Belarus as a result of the war of aggression against Ukraine. However, it is looking for a uniform international solution for the participation of athletes from the two countries.
“It should come as no surprise that the sanctions against the countries of Russia and Belarus and their governments were not questioned in any way,” said IOC President Thomas Bach after a meeting of the Executive Committee in Lausanne. The sanctions were imposed for the war’s violation of the Olympic charter.
“I never tire of explaining that athlete participation is very different from the sanctions imposed on their governments,” Bach said. “The position of the Olympic movement has been, and is, athletes must not be punished for the actions of their governments.” Some governments have threatened their athletes with cutting financial support if they compete against athletes from the two countries. “All of this put us in a big dilemma, because starting in competitions was no longer based on athletic ability, but on political decisions,” said Bach.
“We need ways to solve the dilemma,” he emphasized. A way out should be sought in dialogue with the athletes’ representatives, the world associations and the national Olympic committees. This topic will be up for debate on Friday at the digital Olympic summit meeting, to which the Russian NOK President Stanislav Podsniakow has been invited.