The Olympic Committee wants to “explore ways” of reintegrating Russian and Belarusian athletes

Could we see Russian and Belarusian athletes compete under a neutral banner at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024? The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says in any case, through the voice of its President Thomas Bach, that it wants “exploring ways” to reintegrate these athletes banned from international competitions since the end of February due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“We need to explore ways to overcome this dilemma, about athlete participation, to get back to sporting merits and not political interference”declared the leader to the press, Wednesday, December 7.

This position of the IOC is not new, but Thomas Bach dwelt on it at length, without sketching any leads or deadlines: “this requires further consultations and they are ongoing, so there is no date set”he eluded.

In an interview to Corriere della Sera, released on September 30, Mr. Bach said that “the war was certainly not started by [ces athlètes]. Those who have distanced themselves from the regime should be able to compete under a neutral flag”.

Read also: The IOC opens the door to a return to competition for Russians who have “distanced themselves from the regime”

Since the invasion of Ukraine in the middle of the Olympic truce, during the Beijing Winter Games, the IOC has distinguished the “penalties” inflicted on the Russian and Belarusian states of “protective measures” regarding athletes, who are in no way considered responsible for the acts of their government.

“There is no change in our position. Sanctions must remain in place”i.e. the prohibition of the flags of the two countries and that of competitions on their soil, because of the “violation of the Olympic Charter”recalled the boss of Olympism.

But the banning of Russian and Belarusian athletes, “recommended” by the IOC to international federations at the end of February, has always been presented by the Olympic body as a measure aimed at protecting the integrity of competitions and the safety of athletes, taken “heavy heart” and subject to regular reassessment.

“We had to act against our own values”doing “what we had never done and never wanted to do, which is to prevent athletes from participating in competitions solely because of their passport”recalled Thomas Bach.

After a debate within the IOC Executive Board which lasted ” four hours “ Wednesday morning, the subject will also be on the menu of 11e Olympic Summit Friday in Lausanne, behind closed doors, with representatives of international federations and three national Olympic committees: those of China, the United States and Russia.

The World with AFP

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