The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reacted sharply to the British government’s call to prevent athletes from Russia and Belarus from participating in the Olympic Games. The position of the IOC is set out in the questions and answers posted on the Committee’s website the day before, March 13.
“Governments should not decide who can take part in sports because that would be the end of international sports competitions, world championships and the Olympic Games as we know them,” the IOC said. “We very much hope that the British government will respect the autonomy of sport, which it has emphasized in many decisions, statements and resolutions of the UN.”
The main sports organization in the world assured that they were striving to find a solution that “would be consistent with the mission of sport – to unite, and not contribute to increased confrontation or escalation.”
Formerly Minister for Sports of the United Kingdom Lucy Fraser sent letters outlining the position of London to the sponsors of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris – Coca-Cola, Intel, Samsung and Visa, which have offices in the UK. The messages were addressed to the leaders of a total of 13 official global partners of the IOC.
The authorities of Western countries should not interfere in sports and influence the discussion about the possible admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions, as reported EADailysaid on February 12, the President of the IOC Thomas Bach in French Courchevel on the eve of the World Cup in Alpine skiing.