MADRID, 21 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A total of 34 countries have asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday to ban the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
France, the host country, is one of the countries that has requested the IOC to ban athletes with Russian and Belarusian flags, stating that this request is due to “Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice, facilitated by the Government of Belarus “.
“While we recognize the autonomy of sports bodies, given the invasion of Ukraine and its ongoing devastation, we agree that the IOC’s proposal to explore a path back to competition for Russian and Belarusian athletes raises many questions and concerns.” a joint statement.
The signatory countries have stressed that “in Russia and Belarus, sports and politics are closely intertwined.” “We have major concerns about how feasible it is for Russian and Belarusian Olympians to compete as ‘neutrals’, under the IOC’s conditions of non-identification with their country, when directly funded and supported by their states,” they said.
Likewise, they have shown their “clear concern” about the “strong links and affiliations between Russian athletes and the Russian Army”, rejecting that discrimination is being carried out on the grounds of nationality.
“As long as these fundamental issues and the substantial lack of clarity and concrete details on a workable ‘neutrality’ model are not addressed, we do not agree that Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete again,” the letter continued.
Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin lashed out in early February against demands by international politicians to ban Russian athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympics, calling it “absolutely unacceptable” that governments are trying to influence Russia. the IOC.
The sports body confirmed last month its intention to maintain sanctions against Russian and Belarusian state and government officials ahead of next year’s Games in the French capital, but added that it would study the possibility of athletes from both nations competing under a neutral flag.
Despite widespread criticism of the IOC’s position, some sports bodies already allow Russians and Belarusians to compete under a neutral flag, including tennis, although last year there was controversy over the veto established by Wimbledon, the only one of the four. Grand Slams’ that prevented their participation.