Ukraine considers boycotting the Olympics
Ukraine’s Sports Minister Vadim Guttsait has indicated that the country may consider a boycott of the upcoming Paris Olympics if athletes from Russia and Belarus are allowed to participate.
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**Russia and Belarus May Be Allowed to Send Neutral Delegations to the 2024 Olympics**
Ukraine is considering a boycott of the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete, according to the nation’s Sports Minister Vadim Guttsait.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this week that it is examining options to facilitate the reintegration of athletes from both nations, 11 months after imposing sanctions against Russia and Belarus in response to military actions in Ukraine.
The Olympic Council of Asia has extended an invitation to Russia and Belarus to potentially participate in the Asian Games in September, which could serve as a gateway for these athletes to qualify for the Olympics.
Traditionally, Russia has competed within the European qualification framework, but it has faced restrictions due to the ongoing sanctions from the IOC.
Ukraine's sports minister, who also serves as the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, expressed a commitment to advocating for the continued isolation of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting events.
“For the whole Ukrainian sports community, this is a question of principle!” he wrote on Facebook, via translation. “In this, we are supported by both the President of our state, and all society.
“Part of the International Federations are outraged by the IOC’s efforts to promote the return of Russians and Belarusians.
“We have addressed and will address all international organizations that can influence the situation and whose opinions the IOC members can listen to.
“Our position is unchanged: as long as there is a war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be in international competitions!!!
“If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott and refuse participation in the Olympics.”
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky elaborated this week through a Telegram message detailing a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, where he asserted that Russian and Belarusian athletes have “no place” in Paris next year.
In contrast, the IOC has stated that penalizing individual athletes based on their nationality contradicts the Olympic Charter.
The IOC outlined specific criteria for the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes, emphasizing strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency code and requiring that athletes maintain a neutral stance amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Furthermore, the IOC affirmed that sanctions against both governments must remain in place.
In response to the IOC's announcement, figures in Moscow recognized the potential reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian competitors as a positive development but reiterated their opposition to the sanctions overall.
“I perceive the information from the IOC as an attempt to take a step towards the athletes,” said Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov. “But at the same time, unfortunately, it is also two steps in the opposite direction.
“In fact, [the] statement is an attempt to correct a mistake that has already resulted in groundless restrictions for Russian and Belarusian sports for almost a year and has caused great damage to all international sports."
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Ukraine is considering a boycott of the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to compete, according to the nation’s Sports Minister Vadim Guttsait.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this week that it is examining options to facilitate the reintegration of athletes from both nations, 11 months after imposing sanctions against Russia and Belarus in response to military actions in Ukraine.
The Olympic Council of Asia has extended an invitation to Russia and Belarus to potentially participate in the Asian Games in September, which could serve as a gateway for these athletes to qualify for the Olympics.
Traditionally, Russia has competed within the European qualification framework, but it has faced restrictions due to the ongoing sanctions from the IOC.
Ukraine's sports minister, who also serves as the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, expressed a commitment to advocating for the continued isolation of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sporting events.
“For the whole Ukrainian sports community, this is a question of principle!” he wrote on Facebook, via translation. “In this, we are supported by both the President of our state, and all society.
“Part of the International Federations are outraged by the IOC’s efforts to promote the return of Russians and Belarusians.
“We have addressed and will address all international organizations that can influence the situation and whose opinions the IOC members can listen to.
“Our position is unchanged: as long as there is a war in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be in international competitions!!!
“If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott and refuse participation in the Olympics.”
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky elaborated this week through a Telegram message detailing a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, where he asserted that Russian and Belarusian athletes have “no place” in Paris next year.
In contrast, the IOC has stated that penalizing individual athletes based on their nationality contradicts the Olympic Charter.
The IOC outlined specific criteria for the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes, emphasizing strict adherence to the World Anti-Doping Agency code and requiring that athletes maintain a neutral stance amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Furthermore, the IOC affirmed that sanctions against both governments must remain in place.
In response to the IOC's announcement, figures in Moscow recognized the potential reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian competitors as a positive development but reiterated their opposition to the sanctions overall.
“I perceive the information from the IOC as an attempt to take a step towards the athletes,” said Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov. “But at the same time, unfortunately, it is also two steps in the opposite direction.
“In fact, [the] statement is an attempt to correct a mistake that has already resulted in groundless restrictions for Russian and Belarusian sports for almost a year and has caused great damage to all international sports."
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
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