Criticism of IOC after call to admit Russians and Belarusians: ‘Day of shame’ | Sports Other

March 28, 2023 at 10:12 p.m

The call by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to sports federations to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete again under certain conditions has generated quite a bit of criticism. The statement by IOC President Thomas Bach was not well received by politicians in Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Bach called on the international federations on Tuesday to allow athletes from the two countries back everywhere, provided that this is done under a neutral flag and without other expressions from Russia and Belarus. Athletes who openly support the war are not welcome. This also applies to athletes who are employed by the army or security services.

Poland spoke of “a day of shame” for the IOC. “What happened that was so positive from the Russian side that their athletes should suddenly have to participate in competitions?” Poland’s deputy foreign minister Piotr Wawrzyk wondered.

“After Bocha, Irpin, Hostomel?” he recalled the massacres and destruction in Ukrainian cities. “After daily bombing of civilian targets? It’s a day of shame for the IOC.”

The German Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser spoke of “a slap in the face to the Ukrainian athletes”. According to her, there is no reason for Russia to return to the world of sports.

“Whoever allows Russia to use international sports competitions for its propaganda harms the Olympic spirit of peace and fraternization,” Faeser said. The German Athlete Commission also expressed disappointment after the “expected recommendation”.

IOC president Thomas Bach called on sports associations to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus back in under certain conditions. Photo: AP

‘We must not close our eyes to reality’

The IOC did not make a decision on Tuesday about the possible participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the Olympic Games in 2024 and 2026. According to Bach, the sanctions against both countries will remain in force for the time being.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said Russia does not deserve a place in the Olympics. “I am disappointed in the recommendations of the IOC,” he said on Twitter. “We should not close our eyes to reality. Russian sport is centrally run by the Kremlin. The Russian regime does not know what fair play is.”

After the outbreak of war in Ukraine early last year, the IOC imposed sanctions on Russia and its ally Belarus. Russian and Belarusian athletes are currently only allowed to compete under a neutral flag in most international sports competitions. The IOC is investigating whether this could also apply to next year’s Games in Paris and the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.

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