Thomas Bach, president of the IOC. /
war in the east
It urges that, in any case, its representatives only be accepted “as neutral athletes or teams” and withdraws the Olympic Order from Putin and other members of his government
The IOC issued a strict statement on Monday recommending the exclusion of Russia and Belarus from all competitions, urging that their representatives only be accepted, in any case, “as neutral athletes or teams.” “Symbols, colors, flags or national anthems should not be displayed,” insists the instance headed by Thomas Bach, who has also withdrawn his highest decoration, the Olympic Order, from the members of the Russian Government who possessed it, starting with President Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Executive Office of the President Dmitry Kozak.
Although the IOC emphasizes that its will is “not to punish athletes for the decisions of their Government if they do not actively participate in them”, it emphasizes that “the current war in Ukraine puts the Olympic Movement in a dilemma that has no solution” already that, “while athletes from Russia and Belarus could continue to participate in sports competitions, many Ukrainian athletes are prevented from doing so due to the attack on their country.” For this reason, and to “protect the integrity of world sports competitions and the safety of all participants”, it appeals to federations and competition organizers not to “invite or allow the participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes or officials” in none of them.
The IOC’s allegation is a new blow from the world of sport to Russia. First was the final of the Champions League football, initially scheduled for May 28 in Saint Petersburg and finally moved to the French Saint-Denis stadium. Then it was the turn of the Formula 1 Grand Prix that was to host Sochi between September 23 and 25. And in the last few hours a cascade of tests scheduled in Russia were blown up as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, which will also leave Russian teams out of Europe in soccer and basketball and take that country out of the race for the World Cup. Taste.
Swimming, karate, badminton…
The Australian swimming federation announced that its athletes will not attend the World Championships in short pool scheduled for December this year in Kazan, the eighth most populous city in Russia, and asked the International Swimming Federation (FINA) to look for other “places alternatives” that allow the event to be “safely” hosted, according to the statement signed by its president, Eugenie Buckley.
After transmitting its condemnation for the bellicose actions of the Vladimir Putin regime and expressing its dismay at the events taking place in Ukraine, the federation of the oceanic country stresses that its athletes will not go to Kazan, a town that has so far seen how they fell of the calendar the Junior World Cups that were going to be held in August. FINA has agreed that Russia will not host events in the future if the invasion of Ukraine continues, although it has not yet canceled the short course World Cups.
For its part, Moscow has seen the cancellation of the Karate Premier League event scheduled for October 7-9 of this year. An appointment that will be rescheduled at another location that will be announced shortly. “The World Federation wants to express its hope for a speedy restoration of peace, normality and stability in Eastern Europe and in the world. With the protection of all karate fighters at its core, the WFK will continue to do everything to ensure the best conditions for athletes in all its events.”
The International Badminton Federation (BWF) also announced on Monday the cancellation of all tournaments planned in Russia and Belarus, which will not be awarded the organization of more competitions. In the same way, he pointed out that the flags of those countries will be excluded from the events he organizes, where their hymns will not be heard either. The same will happen in the tournaments sponsored by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) headed by the Russian Arkady Dvorkovich.
