Ukraine will boycott competitions with the participation of Russians
Ukrainian athletes are prohibited from participating in competitions that will allow athletes from Russia or Belarus. The corresponding decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, said the Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleg Nemchinov on the air of a national marathon on the evening of Thursday, March 30.
According to him, this protocol decision was proposed by the Minister of Youth and Sports, President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine Vadym Gutsait. It applies to all competitions, including qualifying tournaments for the Summer Olympics, which will be held in 2024 in Paris. Nemchinov added that the participation of representatives of Ukrainian federations in competitions where Russians and Belarusians are represented could threaten the federations with deprivation of the status of nationals.
Kiev’s response to IOC recommendations
The government decree in Kiev was a response to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the competition.
On 28 March, after four months of consultations, the Executive Committee of the IOC, postponing a decision on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, recommended that international federations allow the start of Russian and Belarusian athletes who did not support the war as neutral athletes.
IOC President Tomas Bach stressed at the same time that teams from Russia and Belarus cannot be considered participants in international competitions. Admission recommendation applies only to individual sport competitors.
The IOC also advised not to allow the competition of athletes with ties to the Russian or Belarusian army, law enforcement agencies and security agencies of these countries. Meanwhile, many top Russian athletes play for CSKA, Dynamo and are officers of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the National Guard.
Source: DW
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