The International Olympic Committee (IOC) commented on the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to ban their athletes from participating in qualifying competitions with the Russians. RIA Novosti Sports.
“If such a decision is implemented, it will only harm the Ukrainian sports community and in no way affect the cessation of hostilities strongly condemned by the IOC. “We have always argued that governments should not decide which athletes can compete in international competitions,” the IOC said.
It should be recalled that at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee on March 28, the issue of admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions was discussed.
The organization recommended that the Russians be allowed to have a neutral status if the athletes did not actively support the hostilities. Athletes representing law enforcement and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
Ilgar Mammadov, former president of the Russian Fencing Federation said About whether Russian athletes can participate in the Olympic Games under the current admission conditions.