Dmitry Svishchev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, commented to Sport Express appreciated The possibility of Ukraine boycotting the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The lawmaker said Ukrainian athletes would participate in the Games anyway because a boycott would lead to punishment for the country’s Olympic Committee. “If they now rewrite the rules for Ukraine, it means there is a frenzy in the Olympic movement,” Svishchev said.
On December 8, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvey Bedny condemned the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to admit Russian athletes to the Olympics. He also stated that the decision on Ukraine’s participation in the competition will be made later.
The IOC had previously announced six quotas for Russians to compete in the Olympic Games. The organization said Russian athletes will be required to sign updated terms of participation, which include a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter, including the “peaceful mission of the Olympic movement”. Russian athletes who rank well in their own disciplines will be allowed to compete.
Former Olympic champion statedThis will rule out the 2026 Games without the Russian flag and anthem.