The president of the Russian Olympic Committee considered that the criteria issued on Tuesday by the IOC to allow the reintegration of Russian and Belarusian athletes into international competitions, under a neutral banner and on an individual basis, were “discriminatory”.
“The criteria announced for the return to international competitions are unacceptable. This is discrimination based on nationality,” Stanislav Pozdniakov lambasted during a press conference broadcast on Russian television.
“Discrimination based on nationality”
The IOC said Tuesday recommending the reinstatement of Russians and Belarusians, provided they do not “actively support the war in Ukraine” and are not “under contract” with the army or security organs.
“The decisions of the executive board are a farce. The principles of the IOC and the UN are violated “, lamented Mr. Pozdniakov, who demands “equal conditions for athletes from all countries”.
On the specific criterion of not reintegrating athletes “under contract” with the Russian army, the boss of the Russian Olympic Committee considered that this measure was “aim” to “harm Russian sport as a whole” because it “creates a conflict within the Russian sports community,” he said.
Several Russian experts believe that this measure could exclude a large number of national athletes, including some of the most successful in their discipline.
However, the fact of opening the door to a certain number of Russian and Belarusian athletes is “an admission” of the IOC, judged Mr. Pozdniakov, following the “error” of having excluded the athletes of the two countries he a year ago, following the launch of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
After four months of consultations with the entire Olympic world, the IOC chose Tuesday to leave to the international federations and competition organizers the primary responsibility of whether or not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes, contenting themselves with “recommendations” to “harmonize their approach”.
However, the IOC did not not settled the question Russian and Belarusian participation in the next Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an explosive issue given the boycott threats from several countries including Ukraine.