Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has stood by the decision to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, stating, “Individual athletes cannot be punished for the acts of their governments.”
Speaking at a Geneva forum, he highlighted, “It’s crucial to differentiate between athletes and governments amidst conflicts,” referring to the ongoing situations worldwide.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC initially barred athletes from these nations but later granted permission for individual athletes to participate under a neutral status, devoid of national symbols.
Notably, teams representing Russia and Belarus remain prohibited from competing.
Bach emphasized that athletes or personnel overtly supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would remain excluded.
Additionally, the IOC reaffirmed its commitment to assist Ukrainian athletes for a robust representation at the Paris Games.
Despite calls from several countries for a complete ban, Olympic sports federations advocated for Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation, albeit detached from their nations.
Ukraine contemplated boycotting the games, with President Volodymyr Zelensky opposing the notion of covering Russian athletes with a facade of neutrality.
Dismissive of boycott threats, Bach asserted that diverse political opinions among nations are permissible.
He addressed the matter at the UN Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, announcing significant financial pledges to aid refugees and support the refugee Olympic team at Paris 2024.
Bach’s remarks spotlight the IOC’s stance on allowing individual athletes to compete neutrally amidst geopolitical tensions, a decision that has sparked varied responses from nations while underscoring the role of sport in navigating global conflicts.
Source-BBC
