The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that it will return Russian athletes to world competitions. The IOC Executive Board did this despite pressure from the National Olympic Committees of some countries – Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Norway and Canada.
harsh conditions
The IOC allowed Russian athletes to compete in international competitions without national symbols, under a neutral flag and without an anthem. In addition, the equipment must be monophonic and in no way indicate its belonging to the Russian Federation.
But not everyone will be accepted, even with a neutral status. For this reason, the IOC imposed a severe restriction allowing Russians to compete only in individual starts.
There are no team sports and competitions, including relay races, in all types of the program in which they are organized.
But that’s not all. The IOC agrees to allow only athletes from Russia who do not oppose the IOC peacekeeping mission and do not actively support the special operation in Ukraine.
It also prohibits the return of athletes affiliated with the Russian armed forces or security agencies. In other words, biathletes and skiers who are in the military and many figure skaters belonging to CSKA will not be able to return to the international arena.
It turned out that the comeback was ordered to such stars as Alexander Bolshunov, Alexandra Trusova, Mark Kondratyuk and even Maria Lasitskene.
Tennis players who have only continued to perform in the international arena and are now likely to participate in the Olympic Games will not have any real problems, it seems. True, only singles.
It is worth clarifying, however, that no speeches have been made at the Olympic Games yet – the IOC plans to discuss and work on this issue separately.
“They want to wipe Russia off the face of the earth”
The IOC statement caused a strong reaction and almost all parties were not satisfied. Those who oppose the return of the Russians are outraged by the fact that sanctions are lifted, and representatives of domestic sports are angered by the harshness of the conditions.
Olympic champion in figure skating Tatyana Navka, quoting TASS, “On the one hand, I am very happy for the athletes who have the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games.” – If something like this happens, then we will support all our people in the Olympics and we wish them all victories.
On the other hand, this whole story, which spoils the fate of athletes who invest their lives and health in sports, by interfering with politicians and officials in a sincere, honest and emotional field such as sports is simply wrong.
I’m sure life will put everything in its place. This once again proves the West’s desire to wipe Russia off the face of the earth.
But we will still stand by our athletes and we believe that justice will be served.”
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke even more harshly.
“This nationalism, xenophobia, ethnic, cultural, religious and other-motivated hatred is already in practice,” Zakharova told RIA Novosti. “This isn’t a story about medals, it’s about experiments on our humanity.”
The country’s Minister of Sports, Oleg Matytsin, also described the conditions announced in his official statement as unlawful.
“The IOC’s recommendations to classify Russian athletes are illegal and a separate decision regarding team sports is clearly discriminatory.
Our athletes are offered to enter through the ajar door while creating additional obstacles.” – Russia has always been in favor of sports outside of politics. We call on all international federations not to destroy the already fragile international sport today, but to stick to this principle.”