p>Lidiya Ivanova, a celebrated Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, spoke out about the IOC president Thomas Bach’s remarks regarding the participation of Russian athletes in Paris. She described Bach’s stance as insulting and expressed strong disagreement with the IOC’s position. Ivanova noted that no country would boycott the Games simply because one Russian athlete chose to compete, and she emphasized that such a move would undermine the dignity of the team and the sport. She added that representing Russia on the world stage should not feel diminished by the choices of a few individuals, and she pointed to what she viewed as a broader issue of how Russian athletes were perceived and treated on the Olympic stage.
Ivanova also mentioned that some Russian athletes in her sport chose to boycott the Games due to what they described as unacceptable conditions. These concerns highlighted a broader debate about the readiness and fairness of the competition environment for Russian competitors, and the tension between national expectations and international governance.
In early 2022, the IOC issued guidance to international sports federations urging that Russian and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in competitions. The policy shifted over time, with a later decision to permit Russia and Belarus to compete in the 2024 Olympics under a neutral status, with qualification still required. This evolution reflected ongoing discussions about eligibility, neutrality, and the standards that apply to athletes from those nations when the Games return after disruptions caused by geopolitical events. (attribution: IOC)
Earlier critiques from the IOC had included accusations of sectarianism, pointing to perceived biases in how disciplinary and eligibility decisions were made. The ongoing debate underscores the complexity of balancing political realities with the principles of fair competition and inclusive participation in global sport. (attribution: IOC)