IOC recommends not to demand non-admission of Russia and Belarus

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) strongly recommended not to sign a joint declaration against the participation of Russia and Belarus in the Paris Olympics.

IOC chief Thomas Bach has previously said that governments should not decide who can compete in international competitions. During a recent international sports summit in the UK, most of the 36 participating countries voted for the removal of Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympic Games.

In a letter to National Olympic Committees from James Macleod, Director of the IOC’s National Olympic Committee Relations Department, the organization recommended that the declaration not be signed or that the wording reflect the views of the Olympic Movement.

Earlier, the IOC announced the need for the participation of Russians in the Olympics.

Recall, on January 25, the IOC announced the consideration of the possibility of participation in international competitions of athletes in a neutral status. In Ukraine, they said in response that the committee was allegedly bribed by Moscow, and promised to boycott the next Games. But the IOC rejected such criticism.

Note that the 2024 Olympic Games will be held in Paris. On issues of admission, the organizers, according to French President Macron, will be guided by the decision of the IOC. However, earlier the mayor of the French capital spoke out against the participation of athletes from the Russian Federation in the 2024 Olympics.

In Russia, they condemned the interference of politicians in the affairs of athletes. The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin said earlier that attempts to dictate the conditions for the participation of athletes in international competitions are unacceptable.