Olympics leader addresses Ukraine's demands for a boycott
The objective of the Olympics is to unite individuals, stated IOC President Thomas Bach when addressing Ukraine’s requests for a boycott. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has voiced his criticism of Ukraine's calls for a boycott of the Paris 2024 Games if Russian athletes are permitted to compete. He emphasized that the Olympics' mission is to unify, rather than escalate tensions or contribute to confrontation.
“It’s not up to governments to decide who can take part in which sports competitions because this would be the end of international sport competitions… as we know it,” Bach asserted during a press briefing on Sunday.
In late January, the IOC indicated that it might allow athletes from Russia and Belarus, who do not openly support Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine, to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics under a neutral flag.
This announcement prompted backlash from Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who urged nations to boycott the Olympics if Russian athletes are included. He remarked on Friday that the participation of Russian athletes would be a “manifestation of violence” that “cannot be covered up with some pretended neutrality or a white flag.”
Bach, in remarks cited by France 24, stated that “history will show who is doing more for peace, the ones who try to keep lines open and communicate or the ones who want to isolate and divide.” He underscored that their role is to bring people together.
He contended that Ukraine’s boycott demands contradict the “principles we stand for.”
Bach also noted that these demands are premature, pointing out that “we are talking about the sporting competitions to take place this year. There is no talk about Paris yet, this will come much later.”
In resolving the status of Russian and Belarusian athletes, Bach explained that the IOC must consider the “serious concerns” expressed by the UN Human Rights Council, which states that barring them “only because of their passports is a violation of their rights.”
“We have seen a Belarusian player under neutral status winning the Australian Open. So why shouldn’t it be possible in a swimming pool for instance, or in gymnastics?” he questioned, referencing tennis star Aryna Sabalenka’s success at the Australian Open last month.
Nevertheless, Bach acknowledged the plight of Ukrainian athletes, expressing, however, that they should “know how much we share their grief, their human suffering and all the effort we’re taking to help them” as a consequence of the ongoing conflict.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
“It’s not up to governments to decide who can take part in which sports competitions because this would be the end of international sport competitions… as we know it,” Bach asserted during a press briefing on Sunday.
In late January, the IOC indicated that it might allow athletes from Russia and Belarus, who do not openly support Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine, to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics under a neutral flag.
This announcement prompted backlash from Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, who urged nations to boycott the Olympics if Russian athletes are included. He remarked on Friday that the participation of Russian athletes would be a “manifestation of violence” that “cannot be covered up with some pretended neutrality or a white flag.”
Bach, in remarks cited by France 24, stated that “history will show who is doing more for peace, the ones who try to keep lines open and communicate or the ones who want to isolate and divide.” He underscored that their role is to bring people together.
He contended that Ukraine’s boycott demands contradict the “principles we stand for.”
Bach also noted that these demands are premature, pointing out that “we are talking about the sporting competitions to take place this year. There is no talk about Paris yet, this will come much later.”
In resolving the status of Russian and Belarusian athletes, Bach explained that the IOC must consider the “serious concerns” expressed by the UN Human Rights Council, which states that barring them “only because of their passports is a violation of their rights.”
“We have seen a Belarusian player under neutral status winning the Australian Open. So why shouldn’t it be possible in a swimming pool for instance, or in gymnastics?” he questioned, referencing tennis star Aryna Sabalenka’s success at the Australian Open last month.
Nevertheless, Bach acknowledged the plight of Ukrainian athletes, expressing, however, that they should “know how much we share their grief, their human suffering and all the effort we’re taking to help them” as a consequence of the ongoing conflict.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
