The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not intend to rush into making a decision regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paris Games, in the summer of 2024. Appointment for two days, Tuesday 20 June and Wednesday 21 June in Lausanne (Switzerland ), the executive committee of the organization has preferred to postpone any communication on the matter, in consideration of this “the right thing to do” and of “see how things are going”explained his spokesman, Mark Adams.
“There is still a long time to make this decision”he argued, adding: “I can not give a history. » In late March, the IOC recommended that international sports federations reinstate Russians and Belarusians under a neutral flag, provided they do not support the war in Ukraine.
A dozen federations have already done so. Including judo, on the occasion of the last world championships, in Qatar, or even fencing, which has chosen to organize the individual European championships in Bulgaria rather than in Poland, as part of the European games, in order to welcome the Russians and Belarusians.
Analyzed the positions of the Russian members of the IOC
In addition, the IOC’s Ethics Committee will look into the case of current and honorary Russian members of the Olympic body. As for sportsmen, he will analyze in detail their position on the conflict in Ukraine and their ties to the army or national security agencies.
“In order to avoid different standards between athletes, national officials and IOC members in Russia, the same conditions apply for participation in international IOC events”said Mr. Adams.
Of particular concern to this “investigation” are Yelena Isinbayeva and Shamil Tarpischev, as well as the quadruple Olympic swimming champion Alexandre Popov.
“The situation of the affected IOC members will be assessed at the time of the events from February 24, 2022 and since then”Adams said.
