sports policy
IOC President: Stance on Russia and Belarus unchanged
The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC): Thomas Bach. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
According to its German President Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee is still opposed to international sports associations awarding events to Russia or Belarus.
According to its German President Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee is still opposed to international sports associations awarding events to Russia or Belarus.
In view of the ongoing Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Bach said in an interview with “Sport Bild”: “Now is not the time to lift this recommendation and lift the stance. We also recommend not inviting any Russian or Belarusian athletes: no anthems, none Flags, not colours.”
With regard to the Russian athletes, Bach admitted that the IOC is currently in an unsolvable dilemma. “In a situation like this, our job would actually be to bring the athletes together. And to show that competition can also be peaceful,” said the 68-year-old.
Bach emphasized that he was grateful to international associations for sanctioning athletes who supported the war. On the other hand, some governments have decided who can and cannot take part in an international competition. At the tennis classic in Wimbledon, professionals from Russia and Belarus were not allowed. Bach warned against surrendering to political sanctions and boycotts. There are about 150 National Olympic Committees in the IOC whose governments have not imposed sanctions on Russia.