Polish Sports and Tourism Minister Kamil Bortnychuk announced on Thursday that a staggering number of countries could boycott the upcoming Olympics if Russian athletes are allowed to compete.
40 countries can boycott the Olympics
Bortnychuk’s announcement came after Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia rejected the International Olympic Committee’s plan to allow Russians and Belarusians to compete in 2024.
Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Olympics in Paris if athletes from Russia and Belarus are admitted to it.
But the IOC clarified on Thursday that any boycott would only be a punishment for the athletes, News.ro reported.
Bortnychuk believes it is possible to form a coalition of 40 countries, including Great Britain, the United States and Canada, to support the blocking of the IOC’s plans.
“If we boycott the Olympics, the coalition we will join will be big enough to make the Olympics meaningless,” the Polish minister told the BBC.
Last week, the IOC announced it was considering a “way” to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris Olympics under a neutral flag.
Source: Hot News
David Jack is a sports author at 247 News Reel, known for his informative writing on sports topics. With extensive knowledge and experience, he provides readers with a deep understanding of the latest sports advancements and trends. David’s insightful articles have earned him a reputation as a skilled and reliable writer.