According to Wednesday’s IOC decision, Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete in competitions organized by the Asian Olympic Committee. This could also include races counting towards Olympic qualification.
“Such a situation is unacceptable for our state,” Ukrainian Sports Minister Vadym Gutcajt wrote on Twitter. “As long as the war in Ukraine continues, Russian and Belarusian athletes should not participate in international competitions. If we are not heard, I do not rule out the possibility that we will boycott participation in the Olympics,” he added.
The IOC would like to see representatives of Russia and Belarus as neutral athletes at the Olympics. Even in the qualifications, they should start without state symbols, such as flags or anthems. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgová, also made a similar statement, while Britain and Denmark, on the other hand, opposed the IOC’s efforts.
On the recommendation of the IOC, no international competitions are held in Russia and Belarus.
