— (Reuters) According to IOC President Thomas Bach on Friday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is thinking about allowing Russian athletes who oppose their nation’s invasion of Ukraine to compete again.
In February, the IOC instructed sports governing organisations to disqualify Russian and Belarusian competitors from competing. Russia’s invasion, which Moscow refers to as a “special military operation,” was staged in Belarus.
It’s not always about getting Russia back.
It concerns getting Russian-passport holders who oppose the conflict back in competition, according to Bach, who spoke to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
“Now we have a problem; the Russian athletes did not start this fight. However, we observed that several governments no longer wished to respect the independence of international sports. Because of this, we’ve had to implement certain safeguards in order to maintain some amount of control and avoid losing total independence.
And because of this, we also need to consider when, how, and under what circumstances we can return in order to fulfil our goal of getting everyone back.
The German emphasised that the existing advice for Russian athletes remained valid, but he also said that the IOC needed to consider the future. There has already been some Olympic qualifying action for the 2024 Paris Games. “There is no change in the suggestions…
We are really appreciative of the International Federations for doing so “Bach threw in.
“I think our main contribution is to have the Olympic Games, and to have sport in general, as something that still unites people and humanity,” the Olympic Movement said. “We have to see how we can contribute to peace.””
Russian athletes who oppose the invasion of Ukraine may resume competing, according to the IOC president
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