Thomas Bach: “Athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments”

The president International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bachsaid on Tuesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus should not be penalized for the actions of their governments and should be allowed to compete internationally as neutrals.

When asked about the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, IOC President Thomas Bach said:

We strive to unite all the athletes of the world in a peaceful competition. We have an obligation not to punish athletes for the actions of their governments.

In March, the IOC issued the first set of recommendations to international sports federations to allow the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes banned after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

Bach said the IOC was in no hurry to decide on his participation, joking that the deadline was “before the Games”.

It is too early to draw any final conclusions. We are not in a hurry. We want to be diligent and be as sure as possible that we are making the right decision.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been allowed to compete as neutrals at the Hangzhou Asian Games to help them score points for qualification for the Paris Olympics, upsetting some countries who feel they should not be given access to the Olympic event.

Bach presented the position of the IOC as an attempt to protect the rights of athletes.

We sanction the Russian government. Russia is responsible for this war. But we also protect human rights.

The IOC assured that they are faced with the “irreconcilable positions” of Russia and Ukraine on the participation of Russians and Belarusians in the Olympic Games.

(According to information from Reuters)

Source: Aristegui Noticias

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