Fury as IOC prepare to lift Russia ban at Paris Games

THE International Olympic Committee have been accused of endorsing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, after they said they would “explore a pathway” for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at next year’s Paris Olympics.

Their executive board said yesterday that “no athlete should be prevented from competing just because of their passport”, paving the way for sportsmen and women from both nations to compete as neutrals.

In December, the Olympic Council of Asia gave permission to both countries’ athletes to compete at qualifiers for the Games, which was supported by the IOC executive board in their meeting.

But a joint statement from Athletes for Ukraine and Global Athlete criticised the IOC’s position.

Their statement read: “Today’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in qualifiers to attend the 2024 Paris Olympics sends a message to the world that the IOC endorses Russia’s brutal war and invasion of Ukraine.

“The suspension of both Russian and Belarusian athletes and their sporting officials must be fully reinstated until Russia withdraws completely from Ukraine.

“Reinstating the ban will pain many athletes and will deny them an opportunity to pursue their careers on the world stage. We recognise athletes are not the powerbrokers responsible for war.

“Our call today is a hard stance with a real human cost. However, the cost on Russian and

Belarusian athletes pales in comparison to the atrocities experienced by every Ukrainian.”

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan this morning condemned the IOC’s decision.

She said: “The IOC are looking at a pathway for Russia and Belarus to be represented in Paris. This position from the IOC is a world away from the reality of war being felt by the Ukrainian people.

“We will strongly condemn any action taken that allows president Putin to legitimise his illegal war in Ukraine.”

In a lengthy statement yesterday, the IOC said that Russians and Belarusians permitted to compete would “in no way represent their state or any other organisation in their country”, and that “only those who have not acted against the peace mission of the IOC by actively supporting the war in Ukraine could compete”.

The IOC executive board, however, continued with their ban on any international sports events taking place in either Russia or Belarus while the invasion of Ukraine was ongoing. In addition, no government or state officials would be invited to any sports events or meetings going forward.