The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, classified as “regrettable” the criticism of some European countries to the entity’s recommendations, made last Tuesday (28), for sports federations to allow the return of Russians and Belarusians to international competitions, as neutral athletes in individual sports. The athletes’ exclusion had been in effect since February last year, when Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine took place. Among the nations that disagreed with the IOC measures to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete again are the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, which advocate banning athletes while the war is ongoing. “It is regrettable to see that some governments do not want to respect the majority within the Olympic movement and all interested parties, nor the autonomy of sport”, said Bach at a press conference, at the end of a meeting of the executive committee in Lausanne (Switzerland), from according to the Reuters news agency. “It is regrettable that these governments do not address the issue of double standards. We have not seen a single comment about the participation of athletes from countries in the other 70 wars and armed conflicts around the world,” he added. “It is regrettable that these governments have not address the issue of double standards. We have not seen a single comment about the participation of athletes from countries in the other 70 wars and armed conflicts around the world”, said Thomas Bach during a press conference this Tuesday (30) – Reuters/Denis Balibouse/Pool/Rights Reserved IOC recommendations to international federations aim to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to gradually return to the world sporting scene. The entity established some requirements so that athletes from both countries can compete again as neutrals. Conditions include not having actively supported the war; not be hired from military institutions or security agency; and commit not to make reference to their own countries either through anthems or the use of uniforms with the flag (colors) in competition venues. It is worth mentioning that the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the Summer Olympics in Paris (2024) and in the Winter Games in Italy (2026) remains undefined. The IOC said last Tuesday (28) that it will make the decision on the presence of these two events “at an appropriate time”. Russian discontent The president of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, considered “unacceptable” the criteria established by the IOC for the return of athletes to international disputes. The leader also disagreed that Russians should compete as neutral athletes. “The announced parameters are absolutely unacceptable. This is discrimination based on nationality, as repeatedly observed by international human rights experts…”, said Pozdnyakov at a press conference last Tuesday (28), according to Reuters agency. “The neutral status is a violation of human rights… We believe that the proposed conditions are unfounded, without legal basis and excessive. We categorically disagree with carrying out additional anti-doping procedures in relation to Russian athletes”, concluded the Russian official.
Agência Brasil
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