FRANKFURT (GERMANY), 2 Nov. (dpa/EP) –
Russia has accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of having a “double standard” for its management of the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, and has taken advantage of it to request the full readmission of Russian and Belarusian athletes in sporting events.
“We demand from the IOC a clear and unequivocal rejection of the practice of double standards, the strict application of equal treatment to all athletes without exceptions and without discrimination for any reason,” said the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria, on Thursday. Zakharova, according to the ‘TASS’ news agency.
Zakharova was referring to the IOC’s recent statement that it would take action against athletes who boycott and discriminate against representatives of Israel. The body chaired by Thomas Bach understands that this conflict is not comparable to that of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and with the collaboration of Belarus.
“The measures and recommendations adopted by the IOC are a consequence of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army during the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This is a violation of the Olympic truce, which was in force at the time, and a violation of the Olympic Charter,” the IOC pointed out to the ‘dpa’ agency.
The committee indicated that it “continues to monitor the situation and its impact on Israeli and Palestinian athletes.” “In accordance with the Olympic Charter, the Olympic Committees of Israel and Palestine have lived in peaceful coexistence for several decades,” he added.
The IOC initially banned Russia and Belarus from participating in international sporting events after invading Ukraine. However, a few months ago it recommended that sports federations allow athletes from these two countries to return as neutrals in individual events and under strict conditions.
This recommendation, however, does not affect its participation in the Summer Olympics in Paris next year and the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina in 2026. In fact, last month, the IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). ), but no decision has yet been made on whether Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in these two upcoming events.