The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has articulated its stance on why athletes from Russia and Belarus should not participate in international sports events, even if they compete under a neutral banner. The ministry emphasizes that the issue hinges less on nationality and more on the sources of sponsorship or backing that athletes receive from their governments or affiliated enterprises. This distinction, they argue, frames the legitimacy of an athlete’s role on the world stage as much as any personal merit.
Officials say the current climate makes a return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to major competitions inappropriate at this moment. The belief is that allowing participation under a neutral status could be misinterpreted as a softening of collective responsibility for actions that have led to widespread international concern. Although the International Olympic Committee has not finalized its policy, the Polish view is clear: any move toward reinstatement should be paused in favor of the established policy that remains in place.
The IOC announcement from late January indicated openness to a discussion about permitting Russian athletes who did not endorse the operation in Ukraine to take part in events with neutral status. Western governments called for clarification to ensure the neutral designation would be meaningful and verifiable. The IOC promised to revisit the question with a formal discussion slated for late March.
Thomas Bach, who leads the IOC, has remarked that Russian athletes do not support the principle of collective guilt, yet the organization maintains a prohibition on public backing of the operation. This stance, commentators note, reflects an attempt to balance broader sporting inclusivity with accountability for actions that triggered international sanctions and widespread opposition.
There has been commentary from prominent figures such as Alexandra Xantaki, who previously served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights. Her remarks focus on the ongoing debate about whether Russians should be readmitted to international tournaments while foreign athletes are involved, raising questions about fairness, ethics, and the role of national policy in global sport.