Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico supported the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with neutral status. His words guide the way Pravda.sk.
“As for the Olympics, imagine: you have a sports discipline in which absolute world leaders from Russia or Belarus take the first places. You prevent them from entering the contest, and the winner is the one least likely to win otherwise. So what is the value of this gold medal? – said Fico.
Following the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, the IOC in February 2022 recommended that international federations suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. The decision to participate in the 2024 Games was announced in December 2023.
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.
The Summer Olympic Games will be held in the French capital from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Previously in Paris presented a set of medals for the upcoming Olympics.